Articles
On this page you can find out more about some of our suppliers of workshops to schools. Below you will find some articles special events or general updates:
Green Up Your Act Education
Green Up Your Act is offering £100 off all environmental workshops.
Over the last five years we have worked with schools to provide focused environmental education to thousands of students, working in and around the Eco Schools Program. We provide workshops tailored to meet the unique requirements of schools at varying stages of environmental awareness and implementation. In one Eco Day we can teach whole schools, colleges, and year groups, or work with smaller groups depending on your specifications.
“My students really enjoyed Phil’s imaginative recycling lesson. He gave clear instructions and guided the class carefully through the activity revealing an important idea about living sustainably. The workshop was informative, enjoyable and run in a very professional way relating to the national curriculum. We have no hesitation in inviting him back”.
Lynda Langley – Nelson Primary School Twickenham London July 15, 2010
Contact us to make a booking or enquiry about our creative workshops, now £270 for a full Eco Day or £150 for a half day.
Use this link to discover more about Green up your act eco workshops
Zest Dance Workshops
Zest Dance Workshops are busy in the lead up to the event of the summer, the 2012 Olympics Games! We have been teaching our dance workshops to many children and bringing a taste of the Olympics in to their schools!
“What a fun Olympics themed day, the children really enjoyed it and I can’t believe how much was learnt!” Allison Watts, Headteacher, Widcombe Infants School, Bath
We have been either focusing on the Countries involved in the games, or the sporting events taking place.
The workshops start off with an ‘Opening Ceremony’ where the history of the games is talked about, and also the country or sport which the class has chosen. We then deliver a dance workshop which is either sporty and creative or more cultural giving a flavour of the chosen country and it’s tradition dance style.
The music we choose plays a vital role in inspiring the pupils and getting immersed in the dance. We use a range of well known sporty themes and mix in some sound effects of the crowds cheering to bring it to life! Or we use traditional music to add to the cultural experience and flavour of the chosen country.
We finish the workshop with a ‘Closing Ceremony’ where the children perform their dances to the rest of the class, or even in an assembly to the rest of the school. This is an energetic, creative and fun workshop, suitable for children of all ages!
Use this link to find out more about Zest’s dance workshops
Music Workshops for schools with Med Music Services
Med Music Services have been busy with their music workshops which are so much more than just music. Have a look at some coverage from The Herald on the 27th January 2012
Follow this link for more information on these fantastic music workshops
Laughter Therapy benefiting Schools!
‘Fantastic! Spontaneous, infectious and virtually unstoppable—the most hard bitten cynics were rolling around in hysterics –we would highly recommend this laughter workshop because it’s accessible to all staff!’
Inge Hunt, Assistant Headteacher-Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School
Humour is subjective, setting aside differing tastes it is true to say we all enjoy a good laugh! It is now scientifically proven that laughter does your health good, by releasing stress-busting endorphins to boost your mood. Whether a hearty ho ho or shy chuckle, it provides a release for any emotions or stress we may build up in the course of our busy day-to-day lives.
This widespread recognition of the beneficial effects of laughter means there are now laughter therapists and laughter workshops out there offering to support to those suffering from stress to use their laughter to get through it. Stress in pupils (work and bullying) and teachers (workload etc) can be on-going problem – what better solution than having a laugh! Whilst the therapeutic effects of laughter have been studied since the 1970s, ranging from its ability to beat stress to improving the healthy function of blood vessels, the first laughter yoga session was actually set up in 1995 by Dr Madan Kataria who was responsible for the development of laughter yoga in Mumbai.
Laughter workshops can be in class or team of staff and work in a similar way an exercise class would, with a ‘warm-up’ followed by deep breathing exercises and then a sequence of structured activities designed to encourage laughter and team build. These will vary depending upon the group, but can include such exercises as ‘slow motion laughter’ or ‘friendly laughter’! After all, laughter doesn’t come easily to everyone, particularly if we are going through a stressful or busy period in our lives. From a physical point of view, the body can’t tell between real and fake laughter, so just learning to go through the motions of laughing on demand, even if we don’t really feel like it at the time, can have a huge positive, transformational and infectious effect!
One of the best things about laughter workshops is that they are suitable for everyone. You don’t have to have any particular kinds of skills or be experience. Schools are one group thought to benefit from this, and laughter therapy has also shown to help mentally ill people. This is why, more often than not, you will find laughter therapists working within the healthcare industry. Our doctor’s surgeries are inundated with people suffering from stress or depression (illnesses where more laughter could surely help).
If you are interested in finding out more about laughter therapy, the best thing to do send an email to Laughing John info@teambuildinglaugh.co.uk . As an added bonus, doing a workshop is also a great way for pupils to come together in a constructive way and overcome inhibitions. Some pupils feel more confident to express themselves in a fun atmosphere and come out of their shell. In your day to day life, these workshops will teach you to practice the laughter techniques at regular intervals throughout the day, and particularly before stressful situations such as a presentations or meeting parents!
Summary: Laughter helps us fight stress by releasing endorphins to boost our mood instantly and get rid of tension. If you fancy a contact Laughing John and his laughter therapy who can unlock the healing power of a chuckle!
‘We all really enjoyed it and felt relaxed to start the new year!’ – Hayeswood School Staff. Let me do the same for you!
Laughing John has been taking laughter through schools and a range of other professional organisations for over 3 years now. He can provide a de-stress session for staff, half a day or day’s programme for your pupils. 20% discount offer – ends this month. Email info@teambuildinglaugh.co.uk or call 07545 347462 Laughing John!