Dianne Hofmeyr » Schools and Workshops

Schools and Workshops

Talks and workshops are suitable for Libraries, Schools and Colleges. I’ve also been involved with the Young Cultural Creators Organisation in Museums. http://www.youngculturalcreators.com/

email: dihofmeyr [at] btinternet . com (to prevent spamming, you’ll have to type this in).

Or via the Contact an Author website: http://www.contactanauthor.co.uk/

WORKSHOPS

1. The Bones of a Book (novels)

Based on specific novels, drawing on landscape, character and plot using PowerPoint and music.

Fish Notes and Star Songs

It was a time when magic was real. When fire and music breathed life. A cave wall is all that stands between a girl’s loss and finding her true power. The story covers not just a physical journey but an inward one… coping with loss, identity and friendship. The workshop touches on subjects as diverse as star myths, rock art and whale song, using artefacts, images and music and much more. Please enter the cave for more info. Suitable for Year 6 & 7.

The Waterbearer

The mystery of wood is not that it burns, but that it floats… A dip into medieval Africa. A young boy finds himself shipwrecked on a deserted beach with the body of his father to bury. The story is set against the dhow trade of East Africa in the 14th century and the dark powers of a ruler in the heart of Africa. Suitable for Year 6 & 7.

Eye of the Moon and Eye of the Sun

Murder and treachery at the Egyptian Court in the time of Nefertiti, a girl and boy’s heroic journey along the Nile, a capture by desert brigands and a battle to win back the crown. The session draws on landscape, clothing and fascinating details of ancient Egypt with a chance to handle Egyptian artefacts. Suitable for Year 6 & 7.

2. Picture Book Workshops

The Faraway Island When a sailor jumps ship and begins a secret garden on remote island in the Atlantic Ocean, he starts a chain of events that takes him to visit the Queen of Portugal. A perfect picture book to use for Year 1 & 2 as it fits with the National Curriculum on a number of levels.

MAPS: (Year 1) Finding St Helena on the world map or globe, discussing islands, drawing an aerial view of an island.

ISLANDS: (Year 2) Discussing physical features of islands, where fresh water might come from, how weather affects islands.

PLANTS: (Year 1) from different climatic regions like bananas, dates, pomegranates, rice, lemons…all of which were brought to the island.

ANIMALS: (Year 1) from different climatic regions like peacocks, pigs, guinea fowl.

HISTORY: (Year 2) ships and exploration in the 16th century as well as flags from those times.

ART: (year 1 & 2) exploring texture and pattern – pineapples, pomegranates etc through painting or using paper and string collage. Portraits of queens & kings of the 16th century wearing clothing and jewellery styles of that period. Looking at original artwork portraying different natural environments e.g. Rousseau’s jungle paintings. Working on similar themes of painting exotic vegetation.

The Star-bearer is based on the Egyptian creative myth. It works well with Year 3 where Egypt is studied. The presentation covers a discussion of Egyptian gods and crowns etc. Making Egyptian jewellery or collage is a good follow-up activity.

3. General Creative Writing Sessions

(groups need to be smaller when creative writing is involved)

Aspects of a Sense of Place, Viewpoint, Character, Dialogue, Structure, Tension, Pace, Rhythm in language, Beginnings and Endings can be covered.

Click on Author Hotline above for an interview.

This lovely work below was done by Year 3 at Virginia Primary School Bethnal Green for Book Week 2010 – The Star-bearer and the Sun God and Atum rising from the lotus flower.