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)
- To 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 happens in a workshop
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.
Prepare for your visit
- Children need to be familiar with newspapers and newspaper style stories and headlines.
- Children should be in placed in groups of 4 or 5 in preparation for the session with 1 adult to support each group.
- Find out how to plan your visit, including booking information, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment.
What people are saying about the workshop
"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.
