Teacher's notes
Pre-visit introduction
Fantasy is a very popular genre in films, literature and even computer games.
Before visiting the exhibition it is worthwhile introducing the actual genre of fantasy to the pupils.
Children already know a considerable amount about this genre as it has had a high profile lately through the Harry Potter books and more recently the film adaptation of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
For the purposes of the exhibition children should be made aware through discussion about the characteristics of this genre, the themes and the actual characters.
Key features of Fantasy writing
- Fantastical creatures/beings: dwarves, goblins, hobbits, elves, orcs
- Human characters tend to be warriors or wizards
- Landscapes
- Story often takes the form of a quest/journey through a variety of perils and dangers to find a lost treasure, to search for an ancient artifact that contains the power to restore or destroy a lost kingdom.
- Magic/sorcery often involved
- Good versus Evil
- Roots in traditional stories, myths and legends
Through discussion you can encourage children to share what they already know and help them identify these key elements.
School visits
During their visit to the museum, pupils will have time to explore the artistic installations in the exhibition and the actual site itself. The landscape at Prestongrange has been shaped by history and many of the old industrial structures remain. Children will be encouraged to explore the landscape around them and this will provide the stimulus for the creative writing workshops.
Introduction | Genre | Dragons | Creating a Fantastical Setting | Reading List | Download (Word Document, 204k)