Years: P4/P5

Delivery:
6 sessions facilitated by Nerve Centre Staff: 2 School based, 4 in a Nerve Centre Venue

Programme Outline:
Sarah, who is six and a half years old, is the main character in a series of programmes – Sarah & the Whammi. Sarah is trying to figure out where she fits into her family now that her baby brother has arrived. We are also introduced to the idea that Sarah is a child of a mixed marriage. It is not only her identity within her own family that she is in search of, but also the cultural tradition to which she belongs. In her confusion, Sarah is trying to figure out where she imagines that a little furry creature, known as the Whammi, has been born who, like herself, is in search of its identity. This series of workshops will use Sarah & the Whammi to explore issues of self-identity and the family that will culminate in a number of digital stories.

Learning areas:
Cultural Diversity, Art & Design, ICT, Literacy, Personal and Social Development,

Contribution to the improvement of Community Relations:
This programme provides the opportunity for collaborative work with a clear community relations dimension using Sarah and the Whammi. Pupils explore the theme of IDENTITY using P4-P5 friendly methods, working in cross-community pairs and mixed groups. The programme also encourages individual creative response to a variety of identity related stimuli. The creative production of digital stories allows the pupils to reflect on their learning in the areas of self-identity, difference, shared identity, family and belonging. This programme supports Education for Mutual Understanding within the school.

Opportunities for Parental Involvement
At the end of the programme of workshops children and parents will be brought together for a shared screening of the children's productions. Parents will get the opportunity to learn about the children's experiences and to reflect upon the themes explored as well as celebrate their children's achievements together.