P5

Continued from p4

in enthusiasm. The children also developed empathy for their characters, aiding understanding of ‘why and how’, not just ‘when and where’.

As the project progressed, topics for other scenes were suggested – initially historical, then including science-related topics.

We discovered that role-play and song could be used much more widely than we’d expected. The children came up with some wacky suggestions for adventures in the bathtub, and several made it into the final script.

Learning your lines

Chris Hutchings explored several ways to help pupils memorise their lines. One of the most effective was to put an MP3 recording of a teacher reading sections of the script on to the school website. Pupils could download them on to their mobiles or burn CDs. This, combined with colours, diagrams and annotations in the script, worked very well for many of our children.

After all this work, the pupils understandably wanted to show the fruits of their labours to their parents. Percy Parker’s Flying Bathtub took years 3 and 4 to ancient Greece, year 5 to Victorian England and year 6 to the execution of Katherine Howard in the Tower of London.

Chloë was Ethel, a mineworker in 1840. I have never seen her speak as clearly, sing as confidently and look as happy as she did during that performance.

I would encourage all teachers to explore curriculum-based role-play and song with their pupils. The opportunities it presents can be life-changing.

• The NUT and the MU have pledged to work in partnership to oppose cuts to music services and promote education and music teaching.

Andrew Holdsworth is a composer and music teacher, and member of the Musicians’ Union. NUT member Chris Hutchings is the head of the Dyslexia Department at Hurst Lodge School, Ascot, a school with an extensive special needs department.