Mystery of the Missing Masterpiece

Pupils adopt the role of newspaper reporters, using drama, role-play and imagination to create the details of a fictitious robbery from the Gallery.

Aims (Skills, Knowledge, Activity, Result)

  • Boy with magnifierTo develop pupils’ speaking and listening skills by using the collection and drama techniques
  • To use gallery artefacts to conduct research and collect information
  • To create and develop imaginary situations
  • To give the pupils the opportunity to collect notes, documents and experiences from which to produce a newspaper report back at school

What teachers are saying about the session

"The children were utterly engaged - involved in looking at artwork, artefacts and cross-curricular links to literacy. Good use of teamwork."

Year 5 teacher, Mauldeth Road Primary School

What happens in a session

As newspaper reporters the pupils investigate a fictitious theft from the Gallery working co-operatively in ‘press’ teams, making decisions and sharing ideas as they gradually develop their news story.

Starting with a press conference, a curator provides the children with information about a ‘stolen’ artefact, including details generally unavailable to the general public. The children are then given the opportunity to select an artefact of their own to investigate and research. Then by bringing paintings to life, the children step into the role of eyewitnesses to the theft, conduct interviews, take notes, and explore the location of the dumped getaway car!

When all the necessary information has been gathered, the children return to the ‘news desk’ to invent attention grabbing headlines in preparation for their story for tomorrow’s front page.

Preparation

Children need to be familiar with newspapers and newspaper style stories and headlines.

Children should be in placed in groups  in preparation for the session with 1 adult to support each group. Depending on the size of your class we would recommend at least 4 groups.

For more information including booking, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment, please go to plan your visit.

NC related themes

The session is for Year 5 and 6 and addresses the following objectives of the National Curriculum and Primary Framework for Literacy:

Speaking & Listening

  • Offer reasons and evidence for their views, considering alternative opinions.
  • Respond appropriately to the contributions of others in the light of differing viewpoints.
  • Use and explore different question types and different ways words are used.

Group Discussion

  • Use talk to organise roles and action.
  • Take different roles in groups.
  • Actively include and respond to all members of the group.
  • Plan and manage a group task over time.
  • Understand different ways to take the lead and support others in groups.

Drama

  • Use dramatic techniques, including work in role, to explore ideas and issues.
  • Create, share and evaluate ideas and understanding through drama.
  • Create roles showing how behaviour can be interpreted from different viewpoints.
  • Reflect on how working in role helps to explore different issues.

Writing

  • Imagine and explore feelings and ideas, focusing on creative uses of language and how to interest the reader.
  • Use adjectives and adjectival phrases.
  • Make notes.
  • Develop ideas from notes into structured written text.

Calling All Teachers!

This is a new format that we are trialling for Pre-Visit notes. We would love to get your feedback. Did you find this useful or is there anything that you think is missing that should be there? Please contact us with your thoughts at:
Email:  mageducation@manchester.gov.uk