PRIMARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
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Format
Schools may take these workshops as stand alone incursions, or may tie them in with a performance of the show Australia In A Suitcase.

With the latter option a typical day runs as follows, with variations according to timetable:

- 9am'ish Show
- By lunchtime 3 workshops with separate groups
- After lunch Rehearsal/refresher with each group
- Last thing Show and tell performance.

An average class is suitable for one workshop group.

These workshop suggestions extend elements of the performance and its material to enable your students to:

- Enjoy closer interaction with Jan
- Develop their skills with a professional performer
- Generate further study ideas

Recommendation
"Thanks for a great day. It covered all aspects that we wanted and it was great that you were so receptive to our ideas and tailored the show to suit. The rapport with the students was excellent and they kids were totally engaged.It was good to be able to link music and performance to curriculum and to have an outsider do it. Couldn't have hoped for more."
(Point Cook PS)

CSF & VELS
These workshops are relevant to the same curriculum areas as the show Australia In A Suitcase, with the additional application to VELS Level 1 through to 4 - Movement and Physical Activity (vocabulary to describe movement; simple rthymic movements, motor skills and cooperation to achieve goals) - with the dancing.

Workshops
Option 1: Folk Songs
In this session Jan introduces the children to other Australian folk songs, teaching them to sing the words, with lead singers and chorus, and to accompany the songs with some percussion.

Teachers may suggest material they wish to use.

Option 2 Write Your Own "Folk Song"
With Jan students will write and make a simple cassette recording of a song about their place. Jan will:
- Provide the structure and process for composing the song
- Clearly demonstrates the choices we have to make according to the structure we've chosen (verse, chorus, middle eight, rhyme, time etc)
- Helps student organise the content and lyrics

Option 3: Drama
In the show Jan will sometimes act out all the characters in the A.B. (Banjo) Paterson poem The Man from Ironbark. In this workshop the students become the actors. Jan will direct students in the main and supporting roles and one or more students will narrate the story. This workshop is ideal for 12 -15 students.

Option 4 - Dance
Jan wrote the dance instructions for The Bushwackers Dance Book, which is possibly in your school's library. In this workshop Jan teaches students bush dances, which boys and girls perform together.