Developed in partnership with Refugee Week and the Simple Acts campaign, Think Simple, Act Big is Bigfoot’s Refugee Week assembly and workshop for primary schools that uses the story of Little Amal, a twelve foot puppet of a ten year old Syrian refugee, to help pupils understand what it means to be a refugee and discover what they can do to make a difference. Ideal for Refugee Week, Diversity Week and whole school community events.
Bigfoot’s World Friendship Ambassador arrives in school with a mission: to share the story of Little Amal, the global symbol of child refugees everywhere, and to enlist pupils as ambassadors for kindness. Through film, discussion and the help of a Bunraku puppet called Sayed, pupils hear the story of a young Afghan boy who fled danger with his family, arrived in England speaking no English, and found his first friend through a kicked football and a smile. Adam’s letter, read aloud by the facilitator, tells Sayed’s story with warmth and honesty, and the room is rarely quiet once it has been heard.
The follow-up drama workshop deepens the learning through roleplay, the Simple Acts Happiness Machine and creative group work that asks pupils to consider what it feels like to arrive somewhere new and what one small act of kindness can do. A comprehensive resource pack accompanies every visit, with post workshop activities across art, literacy, music, PSHE and geography that keep the conversations going long after Bigfoot has left.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Understand what it means to be a refugee and distinguish between refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants
- Develop empathy for displaced children through storytelling, puppetry and discussion
- Identify simple acts of kindness and welcome and understand their impact
- Explore the contribution of refugees to British society, culture and community
- Use drama and creative activities to explore themes of belonging, courage and compassion
NATIONAL CURRICULUM LINKS
- PSHE (KS2): Understanding difference and diversity; developing empathy and compassion; exploring rights, responsibilities and what it means to be an active citizen
- Geography: Human geography; understanding migration, displacement and the global refugee crisis; map work and place knowledge
- English (Speaking and Listening): Responding to storytelling and live performance; discussion and debate; presenting viewpoints with empathy
- Drama: Roleplay, tableaux, devising and the Happiness Machine group activity; responding to puppetry and character
- Personal Development: Moral and social development through themes of justice, welcome and belonging; cultural development through exploring refugee contributions to British society
FORMAT
Target Audience: KS1 and KS2 (Years 1 to 6)
Assembly: 45 minutes (whole school or key stage group)
Workshop: 60 minutes per class (Can accommodate 4 x 1 hour workshops in a day following assembly)
Capacity: One class per workshop session (up to 35 pupils)
Resource Pack: A comprehensive teacher resource pack is included with every booking, packed with pre and post activities across art, literacy, music, PSHE and geography to extend the learning in the classroom.
How to Enquire & Book
For us to quote your school and offer availability, please fill out the form below and tell us the year groups and how many classes you would like us to work with, along with any specific dates. We promise to respond to you within 24 hours. Important: if you haven’t heard from us, you may need to check your folder of doom (spam folder) where our emails may occasionally end up!
