Rosa Parks – Sitting Down to Stand Together

Celebrating the lives of an amazing role model – through poetry

Workshop Description


The moment in December 1955 that an exhausted Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white person changed the world – and ultimately led to people of all races and cultures standing together in the cause of equal rights.

This workshop uses a range of drama techniques to introduce pupils to Rosa Parks and her legacy, then guides them through ways of creating their own powerful poetry.

KS1 pupils will write and perform collaborative poems, whilst older children will explore structures including from long-form clerihews and cinquains.

Exploring: 
Rosa Parks, the civil rights movement, poetic structures.

Cross-Curricular Links: 
History, Geography, Literacy, PSHE, Drama

Year Groups

KS1 – KS4
P2 – S5

CurriculumHolocaust Memorial Day, Poetry
Pupil Numbers

30 pupils per workshop

Duration

45 minutes (KS1 / P1 – P3)
90 minutes (KS2 / P4 – P7 upwards)

Space

Classroom

How many pupils can take part?

Rosa Parks – Sitting Down to Stand Together can accommodate up-to 30 pupils at a time.

What is the format of the day?

We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. It might look something like this:

9.00 – 10.00: Session 1

10.00 – 11.00: Session 2

11.00 – 12.00: Session 3

LUNCH

1.00 – 2.00: Session 4

2.00 – 3.00: Session 5

Are there any technical requirements?

Your visitor will need access to a laptop/ screen/projector set up in the working space.

Where will the workshops take place?

These are active workshops and benefit from a large open space such as the school hall. A large classroom with desks and chairs stowed away as far as possible is fine.