[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":11},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-post-summer-reading-challenge-some-mythical-maze-workshop-ideas":3},{"_type":4,"body":5,"bodyHtml":6,"excerpt":5,"featuredImage":5,"publishedAt":7,"slug":8,"tags":9,"title":10},"blogPost",null,"Recently a couple people have asked me for tips about running workshops tied in with the \u003Ca href=\"http://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/\">Summer Reading Challenge\u003C/a>'s theme of Mythical Maze. There are loads of things you and the kids could do, but here are a few ideas I've come up with to start you off!\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/src_mythicalmaze_poster_zps299afa3a-6d026536d8.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cb>\u003Cfont size=\"3\">Design your own Mythical Maze\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: You've seen the maze I've drawn, with homes in it for each of the Mythical creatures; draw your own maze, and make homes in it for your favourite characters, either from myths or from any of your favourite stories! (Why not a Goblins maze? A Horrid Henry maze? A Shark maze? A Gruffalo maze? The Phoenix comic maze?) Alternatively, make a 3D maze with a box and folded cardboard for the walls, and decorate it. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/src_girl_zpse9587e09-77d4e0ea73.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Ci>\u003Cfont size=\"1\">Photo by Dave Warren\u003C/i>\u003C/font>\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Play Mythical Creature Consequences\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: \\r\nSimple version: Fold a piece of paper into three pieces, so it can be unfolded one segment at a time. The first person draws the Mythical creature's head, the second person draws the torso, and the third person draws the legs.\\r\n\\r\nAlternative version: Keep each segment hidden from the next person: the first person draws the head and makes the lines of the neck just visible in the second segment, and folds over the paper to hide it. The second person draws the torso, without seeing the head, making the lines of the waist just barely visible on the third segment, and folds over the paper to hide it. The third person draws the bottom third of the character, then all three people watch as the paper is unfolded and the new creature revealed! \\r\n\\r\nHere's one I drew with two other artists: \u003Ca href=\"http://www.jonathan-e.com/\">Jonathan Edwards\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"http://warwickjohnsoncadwell.blogspot.co.uk/\">Warwick Johnson-Cadwell\u003C/a>. Another name for this game is \u003Ca href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exquisite_corpse\">Exquisite Corpse\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.goshlondon.com/2011/11/nelson-arrives-in-style/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/excorpse3_gosh_zpsbe714f45-221993923f.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\u003Ci>\u003Cfont size=\"1\">Borrowed from the \u003Ca href=\"http://www.goshlondon.com/2011/11/nelson-arrives-in-style/\">Gosh Comics blog\u003C/a>\u003C/i>\u003C/font>\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Play Mythical Writing Consequences\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: Write one sentence setting a character off on an adventure. For example, decide on a treasure (or horrible thing!) that the creature really wants, and set it off on a Quest. Pass the sheet around the table, with everyone adding a new sentence to the story. \\r\n\\r\n\u003C!--more Click here for more under the cut!-->\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Costume fun\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: I love dressing up! Choose one of the Mythical characters and make a costume! Here's a Mermaid costume (by \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/helen_geekmum\">helen_geekmum\u003C/a>), but I've also seen excellent tails made out of painted paper plates for scales. If you make a costume, do tweet a photo with the \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/hashtag/SummerReadingChallenge?src=hash\">#SummerReadingChallenge\u003C/a> hash tag so we can all see it! (And that goes for all the activities!)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/627273.html\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/oxlitfest14_Helen_mermaid_zpsa94ee71e-08a99bf3ea.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ci>Edit: Oh, wow!!! I absolutely MUST include this photo just tweeted in by librarian \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/HamertonSally\">@HamertonSally\u003C/a>! First awesome Medusa hair of the summer!!\u003C/i> \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/SRC_medusa_costume1_zpsb3da439c-271d25d4d9.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Make a mask!\u003C/b>\u003C/font> Some masks you could make include a snake-y Medusa hat or mask, a Minotaur headdress with horns, a Garuda beak, a Mermaid wig full of washed-up sea objects, or a fishy tail. (You can download potential mermaid wig items from my \u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/oliver-and-the-seawigs/\">Build your own Seawig activity sheets\u003C/a>.) \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/UHerts_seawigs_group2_zpsc1feac13-bf4b01ec58.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/UHerts_seawigs2_zps75624ee4-2252bee029.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Comics Jam session\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: Pick one or two of the characters and have them interact in a comics panel. Pass the paper onto the next person and have them pick up with the second comics panel. Have a third person pick up the story in the third panel (or the first person, if there are only two people), and so on. Creating four panels is a good achievable target, but the Comics Jam could continue as long as the participants want. \\r\n\\r\nYou can create the panels as simply as folding a piece of paper into quarters. But here's a printable Comics Jam sheet I came up with for a Dublin workshop, if you want a bit of help. Feel free to adapt it to be more Mythical Maze themed. (\u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/journal/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mcintyre-monster-comics-jam.pdf\">Download the PDF here\u003C/a>.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/journal/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mcintyre-monster-comics-jam.pdf\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/monster_comics_jam_sheet_zps7887b6b9-5ccb8555dc.gif\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\nI usually lead Comics Jams with groups of 20 people or less, but here's an example of a giant Comics Jam! \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/comicsjam_marketsquare_zpscf3c6f08-0cf0d37f81.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/comicsjam_comic2_zps1be233e4-e7c08c37a6.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n(\u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/563575.html\">Click here to read more about this Dublin Comics Jam and get more detailed instructions\u003C/a>.)\\r\n\\r\nAn A3 folded-paper, four-panel Comics Jam:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/winchester_house_school_15-210df7abdd.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ci>Psst! My Jampires co-author \u003Ca href=\"http://scribblehound.com/\">David O'Connell\u003C/a> and I haven't officially launched this website yet, but it has some tried-and-true, printable tips on leading Comics Jams if you'd like some help. Click on '\u003Ca href=\"http://www.jampires.com/activities/\">Set up Your Own Comics Jam\u003C/a>'. \u003C/i>\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Make a Comic\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: Read one of the myths starring one of our Mythical Maze creatures, then create a comic inspired by the character. (Chose one of the Anansi tales, for example, either to adapt one of the stories as a comic strip, or to come up with a new story.)\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/kidsmakingcomics2-cb91e856f8.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Make Your Own Book!\u003C/b>\u003C/font> You could make a comic book, or a picture book or a book with just words. Perhaps you could write a line of a poem on each page. A fun way to start is by designing a colourful cover out of card, cut paper, glue and stickers. Feature your character on the front cover, then use folded paper to create a story inside. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/draytonpk_26nov10_11-eb2303c776.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nWhen you're finished, staple or sew the folded paper booklet into the cover. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cheltlitfest_workshop_books2_zps6883577b-6224931b7f.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cheltlitfest_workshop_books1_zps8465562e-fc3cc4ef0c.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nBonus idea: create a poster advertising your new book! Swap book quotes with the other kids, promoting your book (see below):\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/draytonpk_26nov10_12-c1edf2bda6.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Make a Diorama!\u003C/b>\u003C/font> Create a world for one or more of the Mythical Maze creatures. Or for any book character! \\r\n\\r\nYou can do this lots of different ways. Here's how comics artist \u003Ca href=\"http://philippajrice.com/\">Philippa Rice\u003C/a> builds a little living room for the characters from \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/610561.html\">\u003Ci>We're Out\u003C/i>\u003C/a> and \u003Ca href=\"http://mycardboardlife.com/\">\u003Ci>My Cardboard Life\u003C/i>\u003C/a>:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/mcm_philippa_rice-f3c5b3e390.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nI got the idea for making a shoebox world from Ezra Jack Keats' picture book, \u003Ci>The Trip\u003C/i>:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/ezra_jack_keats_trip_2-2e28dbf194.jpg\">\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/magic_shoebox_world-5776d93fb3.gif\">\\r\n\\r\nHere's a world a neighbour friend and I built in a box, using paint, foil, wire, a bicycle light and Sculpey clay: \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/cave6-477a09c483.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create a Mythical Maze boardgame!\u003C/b>\u003C/font> This can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Draw a basic route, then add perils and rewards. Decide if you want to play your game with dice, or perhaps kids could advance on a display board that shows the number of books they've read. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/leicester_game3-d520f7eecc.jpg\">\\r\n(This photo's from a workshop I ran at a Leicester library, \u003Ca href=\"http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/418582.html\">click here to see more\u003C/a>.) \\r\n\\r\nIf you want ideas for your gameboard layout, you can \u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/when-titus-took-the-train/\">download and print my board from \u003Ci>When Titus Took the Train\u003C/i>\u003C/a>. Feel free to trace it, simplify it, or adapt it for your own Mythical Maze game.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.jabberworks.co.uk/when-titus-took-the-train/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/titus_boardgame-1-c15f4b0907.gif\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create a Name Totem\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: Did you know that when you cut your name out of paper, it can look like a cool mask? Use your own name to inspire a new Mythical creature! Here's my name, Sarah:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/name_totem_photo_zps2c31e54c-46dd94c4a2.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nAnd here's how you do it!\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/totem_drawing_how_to_zps7f293de4-8b96692764.gif\">\\r\n\\r\nHere are some more by \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/damyantipatel\\r\n\">@damyantipatel\u003C/a>:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/damyanti_patel_zps01129b5d-a089221c44.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create a Mythical Maze mural\u003C/b>\u003C/font>: Let everyone add to it! Cover a wall in paper, leave the posters nearby, and have people draw their own versions of the mythical characters. Be sure the youngest ones can reach! Perhaps have them write a short description of the character next to their drawing, or even a very short story.\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/edbookfest2-33a6662073.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nLast weekend, \u003Ca href=\"http://alexisdeacon.blogspot.co.uk/\">Alexis Deacon\u003C/a> used a great way to inspire kids and create a mural that has a lovely unified feel to it. He created vague creature shapes using one colour of paint, then the kids could go in with black markers and turn the shapes into more detailed creatures. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/alexis_mural_idea_zpsb9d596a0-a522803e98.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nOil pastels can make beautiful, vibrant images:\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/walkinstown_monster9_zpsd1e3ba55-c5f492491f.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\nBut be careful, they're messy!\\r\n\\r\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/walkinstown_monster13_zps842b8768-131edf974b.jpg\">\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create a Life-Size Cardboard Maze!\u003C/b>\u003C/font> I've never actually done this, but \u003Ca href=\"http://www.vivianeschwarz.co.uk/\">Viviane Schwarz\u003C/a> has! Find out more about it on \u003Ca href=\"http://vivianeschwarz.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/treasure-maze-at-playful-arts-in-den.html\">her blog\u003C/a>. \\r\n\\r\n\u003Ca href=\"http://www.vivianeschwarz.co.uk/\">\u003Cimg src=\"https://images.jabberworks.co.uk/lj/viv_maze_zps98c495a9-10ddc44042.jpg\">\u003C/a>\\r\n\u003Cfont size=\"1\">\u003Ci>Photo by John Peacock\u003C/i>\u003C/font>\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Make a paper dragon kite\u003C/b>\u003C/font>, studying books on kite making and Chinese parade costume\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create an Anansi web\u003C/b>\u003C/font>, perhaps tucking into it cut-out creature drawings by the kids. (Welsh librarian \u003Ca href=\"https://twitter.com/martincoles\">@martincoles\u003C/a> has been posting photos of his library web.)\\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Create a giant paper Nessie around the walls of your library\u003C/b>\u003C/font>. Feature a book cover image on each of her humps! \\r\n\\r\n* \u003Cfont size=\"3\">\u003Cb>Build a yeti cave\u003C/b>\u003C/font>. Create a fun place for kids to climb in and read books, with Yeti peeking out from the entrance to wave them in.\\r\n\\r\nHope that helps! Please do add any more ideas you might have in the comments here, and spread the word, if you think your fellow librarian friends might find these suggestions handy!\\r\n\\r\n\u003Clj-embed id=\"2652\"/>","2014-06-17T07:27:00.000Z","summer-reading-challenge-some-mythical-maze-workshop-ideas",[],"summer reading challenge: some mythical maze workshop ideas!",1776628726535]