Painting pictures in words

Summary

Year 8 pupils at this inner-city comprehensive school developed their writing, speaking and listening skills by working with a storyteller at the National Gallery. Following a visit to the gallery, each class took part in a storytelling workshop based on a Greek mythological painting. Back in school, they used this as the inspiration for creating and recording their own poems, songs and scripts. The final outcome of the project was a CD that provided a permanent record of the pupils' ideas, words and voices.

The pupils gained self-esteem and self-motivation as a result of taking part in this project. They took on board writing methods promoted by the storyteller and performed their work with assurance. Their cultural understanding improved and they were enthusiastic about the myths. They also felt comfortable in the gallery space and several said that they would like to return.