On the morning of Wednesday 6th March 2019 the 'Be Anything Do Anything' project was invited into Mrs Gates year 3 class (3A) to deliver the first of six sessions at Woodlands Primary Academy in Bradwell.
This being the first session delivered for the project the nerves were running high, however the daunting feeling was soon lifted by the welcoming and supportive atmosphere from the teaching staff and students, which helped the session run successfully.
The session was started with an introduction to the project and the theme behind it, see below slides;
The children were asked what they considered to be a stereotype and if they believed certain jobs were better suited to particular genders, the children were given short questionnaires to complete with what they perceived as male or female personality traits, interests and job roles; most of the answers displayed a certain amount of stereotypical thinking however not to the level previously expected from past surveys conducted via social media. One student thought up a job role to add to his list of an oil rig worker, he was questioned if that would be a boy or a girls job and he confidently ticked the boys column; this career path had not been considered previously with regard to gender stereotypes, however it became clear that this type of work is very much a male dominated industry and may be something to research in the future for the reasonings behind the lack of equality within it.
The thoughts of class 3A
Personality Traits
Job Roles
Interests
During the presentation the children were asked what they would like to do when they grow up, there were probably enough footballers to create a team, a few teachers, a hairdresser, a vet, a scientist even a McDonald's worker, lots of other varied career paths were also discussed.
A selection of activities were available on each table for the children to freely choose from, these included;
Paint a person for the colourful community
Space Stencil pictures
Decorating letters
Job Role faces
Anyone can be a hairdresser
A Colourful Community
The children were given a variety of skin tone body cut-outs and provided with paint and drawing materials, they were also given the option of collaging different shapes onto the bodies to create uniforms or hats. The results were colourful and friendly and will blend in well with the other people created by the other year groups.
Space Stencils
To tie in with the exhibition's space theme the children were given chalk, black paper, space stencils and stick on jewels and stars to create their own space pictures. The results were varied and imaginative, with each child putting their own stamp on their designs.
Creative Letters
Wooden letters were made available along with a selection of coloured paper, stickers, foam shapes, paint and drawing materials. The children were given the freedom to decorate their letter in their own unique style, these letters will be combined with others created in other year groups and form part of several words throughout the exhibition.
Job Hats
The children were supplied with a variety of skin tone face cut-outs, coloured paper and different hat templates (police officer, pilot, builder, soldier, firefighter, chef). They cut hats from the coloured paper and applied them to the faces along with hair, the children considered if the character would be a male or female. On analysing the work it has become apparent that the girls in the class chose to make chefs and the boys police officers.
We can all be hairdressers!
Similarly to the job hat faces the children were given the opportunity to become hairdressers for the morning and create a wacky hairstyle. Some children chose to use paper to represent the hair, others drawing, some even platted wool hair to create realistic looking people.
The children of 3A were very busy during this session and should be extremely proud of all the varied works they created. The space pictures appeared to be the most popular activity with nearly every member of the class completing a design; these will add another fun dimension to the space display where work from every year group will make a contribution.
It was felt that the session was well received by the children, however consideration for future sessions with regard to setting and tidying up time would enable the children to partake in the activities straightaway and facilitate a more coherent explanation of the activities available.
It appeared that the children enjoyed the works they created during the session and it is hoped that the children will bring their family and friends to the special event day planned on Saturday 4th May at Skippings Gallery, where other creative activities will be available to everyone along with a larger scales artwork planned for the day. The children's artworks of 3A will prove a varied and colourful addition to the display in May and will give the children an opportunity to show their families their creations in an alternative display space to the school walls.
The exhibition will be open to all from 1st - 4th May 2019 11am - 2pm at Skippings Gallery, 133 King Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2PQ.
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