<![CDATA[My Learning RSS Feed]]> <![CDATA[My Learning]]> <![CDATA[What's On at Dales Countryside Museum this September?]]> There are lots of activities and events at the Dales Countryside Museum this month - see below for details: 
 
9 September – 7 October and 11th – 31st October
“Connections – 3 artists whose lives and work connect them to Yorkshire”
An exhibition of abstract paintings, collage and sculpture
Free family workshops to tie in with National Campaign for Drawing “The Big Draw” on 12, 23, 30 October
Events:

2 September 12:30 - 13:30
Introduction to the National Park
Lunchtime talk. Ranger Matt Neale describes the work of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and how it keeps the National Park special.
Free event

5 September 11:00 - 16:00
Weaving Demonstration
Dilys McCaffrey demonstrates the tradional craft on her own loom.
Free event

7 September 14:00 - 16:00
Drystone Walling Demonstration
Free event

7 September 14:00 - 16:00
Spinning a Yarn
Friends of the museum will be spinning yarn in the museum foyer. 
Queries on woolcrafts welcome
Free event

11 September. 13:00 – 16:00
Victorian Kitchen: All About Preserves
A look at preserving techniques in the Victorian kitchen
Free with Museum entry ticket
 
14 September 14:00 - 17:00
Sheep to Scarf
All the processes from raw fleece – dyeing, carding, spinning and knitting techniques
Free event

26 September 10:00 - 17:00
Rugmaking
Rugmaking demonstration. Join rugmaker Heather Ritchie and ‘have a go’ at this traditional craft
Free event

26 September 10:30 - 16:30
Pathfinder Advanced
A full day’s navigation course, mainly outdoors, focusing on practicing and developing existing skills. A perfect follow-on from the Pathfinder Introduction and Pathfinder courses earlier in the year
Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult
£5, booking essential

17 September
Friends of the Museum Event
Helen Bainbridge, Curator of the Swaledale Folk Museum, will be giving a talk
“May Sinclaire, an Authoress’s View of the Dales” at 7.30pm

The museum is open every day between 10am and 5pm
Tel:01969 666210
Email: hawes@yorkshiredales.org.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Celebrate International Literacy Day - 8 September 2010]]> On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally.
 
To mark the day, we've selected some of our literacy resources here on My Learning:
 
For Schools:
Creative Writing at Sandal Castle - using ruins, artefacts, documents and imagination!
My Family: My Story - Digital Storytelling families project, can be adapted for classroom work
Object and Stories  - using weird and wonderful museum objects to inspire stories for KS2 pupils


For Adult Learners (PDF Resource Packs):
Visit Leeds City Art Gallery
Kirklees Libraries Skills for Life Pack
Visit Leeds Central Library
Welcome to Wakefield Museum
]]> <![CDATA[Have Your Own Norman Adventure with the BBC's new 'Hands on History' campaign!]]> This summer the BBC launches its ambitious 'Hands on History' campaign which aims to inspire families, school children and those passionate about the past to get hands on with history. 

The first theme to be featured is The Normans and there's a dedicated BBC website with lots of free downloadable resources, a map showing related trails, workshops and day trips, and fun activities for families and groups such as:
  • Host a Medieval Feast
  • Build a Castle
  • DIY Bayeux Tapestry
You can also order a pull-out Norman timeline poster, and download a host of activity sheets, like the 'I-Spy Churches Guide', or the '1066 Battle of Hastings Game'.  Visit the website to find out more - see Associated Link below.
 
Over the next two years the Hands on History campaign will explore a range of themes and eras through inspirational TV programmes on BBC One, Two and Four, innovative outreach and by collaborating with a range of partners.  
 
The accompanying TV series kicks off at 9.00pm on Wednesday 4 August on BBC Two with 'Men From the North', a look at how the Normans established their new province of Normandy in northern France.
]]> <![CDATA[Summer Events Calendar at Hull Museums]]> Visit Hull Museums this summer - sample activities include:
Victorious Vikings on Sat 24 July at the Hull & East Riding Museum, Time Troopers' Surf Shack on Sat 31 July at Hull Maritime Museum and Minton Tile Painting on Thurs 12 August at Wilberforce House Museum.
 
Download the 2-page PDF leaflet for full details (see link below)

All activities are suitable for families unless otherwise stated.

Admission: Hull Museums are FREE to visit and there is no charge for any of the activities on the leaflet.

Supervision: Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Museum Events: To receive our free events e-bulletin email ‘Subscribe’ to museumevents@hullcc.gov.uk or to get sms alerts direct to your mobile text ‘Events yes’ to 07795 563000.

The service is free and you pay nothing to receive the texts. Your SMS to subscribe will cost the same as a standard text message.
You can unsubscribe at any time: text ‘Events stop’ to the number above. Your details will remain confidential and never be disclosed.
 
Click 'file download' below for the 2-page PDF of Summer Events at Hull Museums 2010.
]]> <![CDATA[Faith in the City - a Video Snapshot of Six Majority Faith Groups in Leeds]]> Faith in the City was a film project done in partnership with the Yorkshire Film Archive which brought together representatives and communities from the six majority faith groups in Leeds – Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. 
 
Eight separate video clips on our sister site, My Yorkshire, provide a modern snapshot of faith in Leeds today, including: The Festival of Sukkot, The Raising of the Nishan Sahib, The Story of Leeds Makkah Mosque and A Personal Buddhist Shrine.
 
Four themes were chosen to show a ‘window on faith in Leeds 2009’ reflecting peoples  faith and beliefs through:
  • Acts of Worship
  • Places of Worship
  • Festivals and Celebrations
  • Faith in the Community

The films are also a celebration of the interfaith work being done across the city and the often hidden community and support work carried out by different Faith Centres.


The feedback from the participants was really positive:

‘It was an enriching experience and I feel more like I belong to Leeds than I did before.’


‘This partnership has been fantastic...to work so closely with the Leeds Museum over the year.  It is a partnership that has brought the different faith groups and the museum together as a community project. It has been a partnership we are hoping will develop in the future in more successful events.’ 

 

There are eight digi stories on My Yorkshire from the Faith in the City series - see  Associated Web Link below.

]]> <![CDATA[What's On at York Castle Museum this Summer?]]> Events all day every day at York Castle Museum - come and access our collections in fun and practical ways that allow you to put history to the test.
 
Drinking Chocolate

11 July – 8 August 

Come and find out about the long history of drinking chocolate. Sample some of the unusual flavours and explore the different ways the drink has been served and drunk. Which will you prefer? 

 

Sweet Talk

9 August – 31 August 

Say it with sweets! Track the story of sugar moulding from medieval sugar plate, Georgian sugar sculptures, Victorian ‘kissing comfits’ to the Love Hearts of today. Have a go at making your own sweet message.  

 

Footsteps

24 July – 31 August 

Step in and find out about our amazing Shoe collection, from a giant’s shoe to tiny dolls shoes. Compare your shoes with examples from the past. Discover how shoes where made and cared for and have a go at lacing a Victorian boot. 
 

A Body of Evidence

24 July – 28 August 

Can you solve our Civil War puzzle? Travel back to the Siege of York in 1644. Investigate evidence from the past and decide how best to equip your soldier for the approaching Battle of Marston Moor.

 

Visit our website for further details on these events: www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

]]> <![CDATA[Yorkshire Museum Celebrates Reopening With a Feast of Summer Fun!]]> Yorkshire Museum in York will be reopening on 1 August at 12pm after a major refurbishment.  New exhibitions will showcase some of Britain's finest archaeological treasures and many rare animals, birds and fossils, in exciting new displays.

Come and join us in August for a whole range of activities in the brand new Yorkshire Museum Labs.

 

2 – 27 August 2010

10am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4pm 

Drop in and practical sessions for all the family. Self led activities are also available to take part in. These sessions are for accompanied children.

 

Week 1: The Roman Army

2 - 6 August

Drilling and story telling for new Roman recruits with our Roman Centurion.

 

Week 2: Mosaic Magic

 9 - 13 August

Make a mini Roman Mosaic to take home.

 

Week 3: Dynamic Dinosaurs

16 - 20 August

Take a close look at some real fossilised dinosaur footprints. Find out which dinosaur might have made them and work out how big and fast it was.

 

Week 4: Funky Fossils

23 - 27 August 

Make your very own fossil cast. 

 

A Really Wild Wednesday!  

In York’s Museum Gardens

Wednesday 18 August   11am – 3.30pm 

A free and fun event for all the family. With lots of hands on and exciting archaeology and science activities to take part in.

 

Activities include:

Make jewellery from old plastic milk bottles
Cast a fossil and explore dinosaur footprints
Make a mini Roman Mosaic
Hunt the mini-beast trail
Try your hand at making a stone trough, making a cobble path and pointing a wall
Pan for Gold
Learn how to do Chinese writing and create your own work of art
Bird watch in the Museum Gardens and hunt for lichens
Fire a Rocket
Explore Tudor cures and potions and make one of your own

Visit www.yorkshiremuseum.org.uk for further details on these events.
]]> <![CDATA[Get Arty in York this Summer!]]> York Art Gallery have an exciting programme of events planned for the summer holidays - see below for a taste of the workshops and family fun sessions you can participate in:
 
China: Journey to the East

Studio Activities   11am – 1pm & 2pm - 4pm (Tuesdays – Fridays each week)

Drop-in artist led practical workshops for families linked to the themes of the exhibition.


Week 1: 27 - 30 July - Festivals & Beliefs

Week 2:  3 - 6 August - Play & Performance

Week 3: 10 - 13 August - Technology & Invention

Week 4: 17 - 20 August - Language & Writing

Week 5: 24 - 27 August - Food & Drink

These events are for accompanied children.

A £1 charge will be made for materials. 

 

Meet the Artist – Kate Malone

Saturday 31 July   10.30am – 12.30pm

A family workshop session using air hardening clay to sculpt flowers or plant forms.

This event is for accompanied children. Minimum age 7.

£5 per child. Accompanying adults free. Maximum of 3 children per adult.

Booking essential: 01904 650333 

 

Studio Saturday (funded by Friends of York Art Gallery)

7 August   11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Be inspired by the exhibition York Mystery Plays at these drop-in family workshops with artist Kirstie Briggs Bateman.

This event is for accompanied children.

A £1 charge will be made for materials. 

 

Chinese Valentines Day

Saturday 14 August   11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Hear the legend of the origins of the Milky Way and find out more about Chinese astronomy from a real astronomer.

Use chalks and pastel to create your own starry skies in these drop-in workshops for families.

This event is for accompanied children.

A £1 charge will be made for materials.

  

Visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk for further details on these events.

]]> <![CDATA[What is Sculpture? Workshops at Cartwright Hall, Bradford]]> <![CDATA[Cartwright Hall Art Gallery has reopened to the public!]]>
Friday 18 June 2010
A Printmaking Demonstration by the artist Anne Desmet 1.30-3.30pm. Please contact Education Team on 01274 341212 for details.

Friday 18 June 2010
In Conversation with... Anne Desmet 5-6pm. A tour and talk of the exhibition. Free, no booking essential.

Tuesday 22 June 2010
The Art of Colour 11am - 4pm. A natural dye workshop for adults with the Mulberry Dyer. Free, but booking essential as numbers limited to 30. All materials provided, bring picnic lunch. Please contact Janet Simmonds janet.simmonds@bradford.gov.uk 07795307805. Workshop taking place in the Anim8ed Gallery.

Saturday 3 July 2010
Free Family drop-in: colour your world 12 noon - 4.00pm
Exploring colour dyes with Mulberry Dyer. Anim8ed Gallery at Cartwright Hall. Materials provided.

Friday 23 July 2010
In conversation with... Halima Cassell 4.30 - 5.30pm
A tour and talk by the artist. Free.

All activities are free unless otherwise stated. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For some activities we recommend booking a place. To book please call 01274 431216 or email luke.owens@bradford.gov.uk. We also have drawing tables situated here, so you can pick up a pencil and create your own work.
]]> <![CDATA[FREE Poster Packs for Teachers!]]> It's a whole year since we last asked for your views on My Learning, and once again we're offering participants a set of six high quality A3 posters for the classroom wall, as a thank you for completing our short online survey. 

Sponsored by the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council, the posters feature full colour images relating to Campaign! Make an Impact - a British Library developed initiative that uses historical campaigns to inspire young people into active Citizenship.
 
Subjects for the posters range from a police photograph of Sophia Constable aged 11, who in 1872 was sentenced to three months hard labour for stealing a loaf of bread (pictured), to a CND Anti-Nuclear Campaign banner . 
 
Other images show a 19th Century prisoner's 'Good Conduct' badge and an 18th Century Theodolite used to provide a reliable water supply to many villages across the North Yorkshire Moors, as featured in our latest Learning Journey about The Quakers: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things.
 
You can access the survey for the next month from our homepage, or click here to take the survey now.
]]> <![CDATA[Roman catapults, incredible dinosaurs and...poo! Brand new primary school workshops at the new look Yorkshire Museum]]> Experience the voyage of the Vikings crossing the North Sea, enter Pharoah’s tomb and learn about mummification, or become a CSI expert and dig up the facts on a recently found skeleton.


These are just some of the brand new Hands On workshops for primary school pupils being launched at the Yorkshire Museum this September. 
The science and history sessions, which are linked to the National Curriculum, will allow pupils to handle real artefacts and solve problems linked to the particular subject.

All of the activities will take place in the new look museum, which will reopen in August after a £2million refurbishment.  They are aimed at pupils at foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2.

The history sessions are entitled Romans: Exploring Eboracum, Romans: Masks, Vikings: Warriors to Settlers, Egyptians: The Egyptian way of Death and Tudors: Prince & Paupers; a journey through rich and poor life in Tudor York.

The science workshops are entitled: Fire Away! Feeling the Force of Roman Catapults, The Earth and Beyond, Incredible Dinosaurs, Dynamic Digestion – Poo Through Time, Amazing Adaption’s and Forensic Science: Who Were You?

The full list of sessions is available online at the Yorkshire Museum website ( see Associated Web Link below), or Hands On learning programme, available at York Castle Museum, the Yorkshire Museum and York Art Gallery.  Further details from: Ruth.Rising@ymt.org.uk
]]> <![CDATA[National Family Week - 31 May to 6 June 2010]]> National Family Week is the UK's biggest annual celebration of family life aiming to highlight the importance of quality time together and promote the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Backed by all major political parties, National Family Week represents the largest coalition on family issues in the UK, working with hundreds of partners and supporters from major national charities to community organisations to help bring families together.


Visit the special website (see link below) for thousands of record-setting, action-packed and fun-filled family events that are taking place in every corner of the country so families everywhere can enjoy eating, learning, playing, exploring and getting out and active together. National Family Week 2010 will make the summer half term holiday a walk in the park… or a piece of cake... or a home run with everything from picnics in the park to large-scale sports days, huge giveaways, great competitions and loads of special offers for families to enjoy.
 
We've highlighted here some of our resources on My Learning that are particularly suited for families learning together:

Create Your Own Superbug!

Thomas's Metalwork Trail at Sheffield's Millennium Gallery

My Culture Quest - global art collecting game
 
 
]]> <![CDATA[Once Upon a Time at Hull Museums]]> Free events this half-term at Hull Museums - come and join in the fun at one of Hull's museums and galleries! 

We've listed a small selection below, and you can download the PDF leaflet (see Associated Document link below) with full details of dates and times.
 





Ferens Art Gallery:
Ink or Swim - Investigate the myths and stories associated with our maritime history ( see linked resource here on My Learning ) 
New Family Resources - available free of charge daily, ask at front desk for details 
National Families Week 2 June - join our storytellers and journey into the world of art
 
Hull & East Riding Museum: 
Gladiators! - a fun-filled day dedicated to the Romans. 
Hands On...Prehistory - get your hands on some real prehistoric artefacts
 
Wilberforce House:
Funk up the Folk - work with local artist to create a fresh take on some old melodies (for 16-25s)
World Stories - drop in to hear traditional African and other world stories, and try your hand at African inspired crafts
Fairy Stories of the World - discover which countries fairytales come from and create your own hand puppet
 
Maritime Museum:
In Touch With...Fishing - join Nancy as she prepares for a day's work on St Andrew's dock
Mermaids and Monsters - drop in to make your own sea monsters and mermaids
In Touch With...Whaling - Meet Mrs Pickwick, a whaler's wife and hear her captivating stories (see linked resource here on My Learning)
 
Download the full PDF leaflet (link below) for dates and times of all these events and more!
]]> <![CDATA[Spring Half-Term Fun at York Museums]]> See below for a host of fun activities and events, all happening in York this May Bank Holiday, from making gingerbread to war games and shadow puppets.
 

York Castle Museum:  - events all day every day
 
Come and access our collections in fun and practical ways that allow you to put history to the test.
 
Gingerbread
Taste the history of gingerbread! The first recipes were written down in medieval times and it is still a firm favourite today. Help us re-create recipes from the past and explore how gingerbread has been shaped, decorated and eaten. Do you have a favourite gingerbread recipe to share with us?

Heads up!

From bonnets and baseball caps to turbans and top hats there are so many different types of hats. Investigate different styles from the past and help us choose when they would be worn and how. Try on a hat and see which style suits you best, explore close up the art of hat making and find out how hats were looked after.


War Games

So you think you could be one of history's great generals? For thousands of years board games have been played to help people develop an understanding of strategic thinking. Come and try your hand at some of these long lost games, including Roman Ludus, Viking Tafl, Napoleonic Asalto and traditional and Four Seasons Chess.


For up-to-date event information visit www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

 

York Art Gallery:
 
Shadow Puppets

Monday 31 May - Friday 4 June

11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Be inspired by the China: Journey to the East exhibition and make your own puppet. Then cast wonderful shadow stories in these drop-in family workshops.

These events are for accompanied children.

A £1 charge will be made for materials.

 

Studio Saturday

(funded by Friends of York Art Gallery)

5 June   11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm

Explore Chinese art with artist Kirstie Briggs Bateman in these drop-in family workshops.

This event is for accompanied children.

A £1 charge will be made for materials.

 

Visit www.yorkartgallery.org.uk for further details on these events.

]]> <![CDATA[Adult Learners' Week 15 - 21 May 2010]]> Adult Learners' Week is the UK's largest and longest running learning campaign.  Held each May, it encourages thousands of adults, whatever their age and background, to give learning a go.


Thousands of events and activities are taking place this week - visit the ALW website (link below) to find out what's happening in your area.
 
We list below some of our resources aimed at adult and family learners:

Kirklees Libraries 'Skills for Life' pack
Visit Leeds Central Library resource pack
Visit Leeds City Art Gallery resource pack
'Every Object Tells a Story' family learning activity pack
Rotherham Family History resource pack
]]> <![CDATA[Silver Surfers' Day - Friday 21 May]]> Silver Surfers’ Day is the biggest, national campaign to promote use of digital technologies by older people. It is run by Digital Unite and was started in 2002. Silver Surfers’ Day is its ninth glorious year. It’s on Friday 21 May.


On Silver Surfers’ Day people and organisations all over the UK open their doors and give local older people a taste of what the digital world has to offer them at a Silver Surfers’ Day Event.
 
Visit the Silver Surfers' Day website (link below) to see what's on offer near you, or simply browse our learning resources for adults here on My Learning by using the Search buttons above.  We've listed a few below to whet your appetite:
 
Local History Pack - a how to guide
 
Welcome to Wakefield Museum (includes activity pack)
 
Rotherham Family History Pack
 
Digital Storytelling - how to guide
]]> <![CDATA[Celebrate Local History Month 2010]]> Local and Community History Month takes places this year between 1 May and 11 June, initiated by The Historical Association.  Check out their website (Associated Web Link below) for regional events during the month.
 
To help you plan related activities and lessons, have a look at our learning journey - Local History Pack, a how to guide - which provides tips and advice on carrying out local history research and can be used by all ages, with specific National Curriculum Links to History at KS2 and 3.
 
Investigate the city of Hull's development, trade and people in History Around Hull.  Explore important buildings and residents of High Street, examine documents, artefacts and evidence of events that have shaped the city into the Hull we know today.
 
History of Leeds - Poverty and Riches (KS2/3) provides information on how the rich and poor lived in Leeds from the 17th Century to the 1900s. It also tells how those in authority in the city cared for the poor, from the benevolence of John Harrison and the creation of the workhouse to the social reformers and increasing provision by the council of the 19th and 20th Centuries.
]]> <![CDATA[Dales Countryside Museum - July Exhibitions and Events]]> The museum is open every day between 10am and 5pm.
Contact us for more details of events or to book on 01969 666210.


Exhibitions
29 May  – 11 July
Jane Carlisle and Martin Priestley jointly present an exhibition of Silk Painting and Photography “YORKSHIRE ON MY MIND”  Includes workshops for children and adults

16 July  – 5 September
Annual summer family exhibition on the theme of Cultural Heritage,
one of the special qualities of the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Events
4 July 10:00 - 17:00
Rugmaking
Join Heather Ritchie – one of Britain’s most inspired rugmakers.
Watch her demonstration and ‘have a go’ 
Free event

6 July 14:00 - 16:00
Spinning a Yarn
Friends of the Museum will be spinning in the museum foyer.  Queries on wool crafts welcome
Free event


10 July 14:00 - 16:00
Discover & Do: Silk Collage drop in event for children
Use brightly coloured silk to create a collage picture
Ages 5 to 8 years must be accompanied by an adult
Children £3, parents/carers free, booking advisable

11 July 10:00 - 16:00
Photography Workshop
Photography workshop, classroom and practical.
Adults £10, children £5, booking essential

13 July 14:00 - 16:00
Drystone Walling Demonstration
Free event

8 July 10:30 - 16:30
Pathfinder
See 30 May
Under 16s to be accompanied by an adult
Adults £5, concessions/bus users/children free, booking essential

18 July 11:00 - 16:00
Peg Loom Demonstration
Dilys McCaffrey demonstrates the traditional craft on her own loom
Free event


20 July 14:00 – 16:00
Dried Flower Workshop
Children’s activity – making and using dried flowers for decoration. Part of the Flowers of the Dales Festival.
Ages 5 to 8 years must be accompanied by an adult
Children £3, parents/carers free, booking advisable

21 July 12:30 - 13:30
Red Squirrel Conservation in the National Park
Red Squirrel Conservation in the National Park. Lunchtime lecture 12.30-13.00
Free event .  The talk covers all about the native red squirrel, changes to habitat, competition from greys and future conservation.  All welcome.
Free event

25 July 10:00 – 16:00
Taste Historic Food and Games from the Past
Free event

27 July 14:00 - 17:00
Sheep to Scarf
Fran Coates will explain all the processes from the raw fleece, through dyeing, carding, spinning, and knitting techniques
Free event

28 July 14:00 - 16:00
Discover & Do: Plant your own Mini Haymeadow
Discover unusual and interesting facts about Dales hay meadow flowers and find out why they are so good for wildlife, plus the chance to make your very own mini-meadow or wildlife garden. Part of the Flowers of the Dales Festival. A fun and very practical activity session for 8 to12 year olds.
Children £3, parents/carers free, booking advisable

29 July 14:00 - 16:00
Drystone Walling Demonstration
Free event

Friends of the Museum event
GIFT DAY bring your donations and enjoy a social evening. At 8pm Matt Neale, Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale will give a talk, ‘Red Squirrel Conservation in the Yorkshire Dales National Park’

 

]]> <![CDATA[Easter Family Fun at York Castle Museum]]> Come to the Kitchen Studio* at York Castle Museum this Spring-time (every day 10am–4pm), and make a chocolate Easter nest to take home. Be inspired by traditional Easter egg packaging from our collection, and create your own chocolate treat to take away. There will also be the chance to make an Easter basket to put your nest in, or take a template away to finish at home.


*The Kitchen studio can accommodate approx 15-20 people at a time.
 

Come and access our collections in fun and practical ways that allow you to put history to the test. Events all day every day.

 

Knitting Sheaths

Knitting sheaths were used to hold the end of a special kind of knitting needle. They were fitted onto a belt so that they could be used while doing other kinds of work. Many were beautifully and intricately carved and were often given as love tokens. We have a wonderful collection which has rarely been displayed and this is a chance to see them, find out the way they were used, and see how very simple objects can be made into tiny works of art.

 

Marlborough’s Soldiers

Lord Marlborough, ancestor of Winston Churchill, was one of Britain’s greatest war leaders.  Discover how England fought the tyranny of France through the stories of Yorkshire soldiers who fought under Marlborough and handle real equipment, weapons and armour from the late 1600s and early 1700s.


For further information about these and lots of other holiday activities, visit the York Castle Museum web page (see Associated Link below).

]]> <![CDATA[Get Arty in York this Easter!]]> Portraits:
Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7 & Thursday 8 April
11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm
Draw yourself or a member of your family.

Landscape:
Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14 & Thursday 15 April
11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm
Create your own abstract landscape using paint or collage.

These events are for accompanied children.  A small charge will be made for materials.

Studio Saturday (sponsored by the Friends of York Art Gallery)
Saturday 3 April, 11am–1pm & 2pm–4pm
Be inspired by the Gallery of Pots and explore clay with artist Kirstie Briggs Bateman.

Held on the first Saturday of every month, Studio Saturdays are for accompanied children. A small charge will be made for materials.
 
stART here!
Saturday 10 April, 1.30pm–3.30pm
Practical workshops for 12–16 year olds.
Develop your art skills in the relaxed atmosphere of the Art Gallery Studio with the support of a trained artist. Be inspired by the landscape paintings in the exhibition 100 Years of Gifts.

£3 per session. All materials included.
Places are limited so please book: 01904 650333.

For further information about these and lots of other holiday activities at York Art Gallery, visit the web page (see Associated Web Link below).

]]> <![CDATA[Easter Eggstravaganza at Hull Museums!]]> Between Saturday 27 March and Saturday 10 April 2010, there are lots of exciting activities going on at Hull Museums. 

We've listed just a few examples here to whet your appetite:



Time Troopers: Roman Soldiers (Hull & East Riding Museum)
Become a Roman soldier and make your own Roman helmet to protect you in battle.
 
Ship a 'Hoy (Ferens Art Gallery)
Collage your own seascape inspired by the John Ward painting 'The Return of the William Lee'.
 
Vintage Vehicles (Streetlife Museum)
Design and make your own vehicle and have a ride in our Vintage Car Ride.
 
Eggstravagantly Victorian! (Hands On History)
Create your own decoupage Easter egg (messy activity suitable for children aged 5+, bring an old t-shirt!).
 
In Touch with...Fishing (Maritime Museum)
Join Nancy as she prepares for a day's work on St Andrew's dock and find out about Hull's rich fishing heritage.

Campaign and Create (Wilberforce House)
Learn how the Brookes Slave Ship model was used in the campaign to abolish the British Slave Trade and create your own campaign badge.
 
Check out the Hull Museums website (click the Associated Web link below) for further details of these and lots of other Easter time events, or download the PDF brochure (link below).
 
]]> <![CDATA[Holiday Fun for All the Family with Museums Sheffield]]>
The Graves Gallery and the Millennium Gallery host Saturday Art Club for 7-10 year olds and Art Plus for 11-14 year olds. There is also a range of book-in-advance and drop-in events linking to our temporary and permanent galleries.   Some of the activities coming up over the 2010 Easter Holidays include:

Flowers and the Golden Number (Weston Park)
Join the Centre for Science Education for an exciting two-hour activity session which includes making marzipan flower sculptures to explain the background to the Golden Number

Culture Lab - T-shirt Customisation, Jewellery Design and Puppet Making (Sheffield library venues)
Time to get creative with the Culture Lab artists!

Lovebytes - Butterflies (Millennium Gallery)
Come along and make your own Butterfly, then release it into the virtual world! A drop-in craft workshop for children aged 4+, exploring how insects they make can come alive using technology.

Visit the Museums Sheffield website (click Associated Web Link below) to find out more about these and lots of other fun family activities over the holidays.

]]> <![CDATA[Bradford's Past Extravagance and an Early Taste of Summer!]]>
We've listed below a selection of the fun family activities going on at Bradford Industrial Museum and Cliffe Castle Museum:


8 and 15 April - Bradford Industrial Museum
Past Times to Passing Times (11am-3pm)
Get an early taste of summer this Easter at Bradford Industrial Museum. Inspired by the exhibition England at Leisure we will be making sandcastles with flags, postcards and there will be a self service story area. As well as the return of the popular Easter Bunny trail.

Saturday 17 April - Bradford Industrial Museum
In conversation with... (1-2pm)
Anne Woodward from English Heritage will be giving a talk and tour of the exhibition, England at Leisure. All welcome. Free Admission.

Tuesday 6 April - Cliffe Castle Museum
The Fifth Great Egg Roll (11am-3pm)
Now in its fifth year! Bring a raw hens egg with you, decorate and then take part in the Great Roll. Prizes for the best decorated egg and the furthest unbroken roll.

Thursday 8 April - Cliffe Castle Museum
Cliffe Castle Past (11am–3pm)
View our magnificently restored drawing room and meet Sir Frederick Butterfield for an insight into the life and views of past owner, short 20 min character drama.

Tuesday 13 April - Cliffe Castle Museum
Past Extravagance (11am-3pm)
Join us for day of activities to celebrate the refurbishment of the great drawing room here at Cliffe Castle. Learn about Cliffe Castle’s past from our costumed interpreter, find out more about the lavish interiors and be inspired by the beautiful surroundings to create your own Victorian style toy theatre.

For further details of these and lots of other holiday activities, visit the Bradford Museums & Galleries website (see Associated Web Link below).

]]> <![CDATA[Easter Bonnet Bonanza at Leeds City Museum]]> Storytelling Sunday - Sun, 4th April (2:15pm to 2:45pm)

Storytelling sessions that bring the collection to life.


Egg-citing Easter Trail! -Thurs, 1stApril to Sun, 18th April (during opening hours)

Can you find all the birds' eggs hidden in the Museum displays? Pick up a free trail from reception.


Egg-citing Easter Activities: Bonnet Bonanza! - 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th, 14th and 15th April (11:30am to 3:30pm)

Look at hats from the museum collection and make your own museum inspired Easter Bonnet. Fun for all the family! Drop-in. Free.


Rory's Saturday Club - Sat, 24th April (11am to 12:15pm)

Arts and craft activities relating to the museum displays. Fun for all the family!
]]> <![CDATA[Leeds City Museum 'Makes a Difference' ]]> The Leeds City Museum has won a 'Making a Difference in Yorkshire and The Humber' Award in the category of 'Building Cultural Spaces'.  The award recognises where there has been a significant impact through cultural activities.
 
The photo shows (from left to right) Binny Baker, Head of Access at the Yorkshire Film Archive; Ed Torsney, Creative Director of Mojo Media; and Gabrielle Hamilton, Curator of Community History at Leeds Museums & Galleries.
 
The community engagement programme at the City Museum, funded through Renaissance Yorkshire, the Regional Museums Hub, has involved working in partnership with the Yorkshire Film Archive to create a series of themed film exhibitions documenting contemporary life in Leeds - Steps in Time, Faith in the City and A Greener City.

The Faith, Voluntary and Community Sector in the city has been an integral part of this programme and the films have given a voice in the museum to local community groups across the city, representing and celebrating cultural diversity.  Displays of objects lent to the museum in the Community Cases in the Leeds Gallery curated and interpreted by different community groups  have complemented the film exhibitions.

Work continues into 2010 with the launch of A Greener City in January.
 
The 'Making a Difference in Yorkshire and The Humber' Awards celebrate the achievements of local authorities around the region, recognising the hard work and commitment of individuals and teams in making a real difference to the lives of people across Yorkshire and Humber.  Congratulations to everyone involved! 
]]> <![CDATA[Bradford wins Best Film by Young Animators at BAF 2009!]]> The Strategic Commissioning project Anim8ed Stories was greatly honoured with the award Best Film Produced by Young Animators for “Immersion, Emergence”. The film was made by a class of Year 8 from Titus Salt School. The school worked with the animator David Bunting and Luke Owens from Cartwright Hall Art Gallery to produce the film. They had been inspired by the artwork of Arpana Caur and Lubna Chowdray, which they had seen on a visit to Cartwright Hall.

 
The Jury said “We were very taken with the style, which expressed the narrative very well. We were extremely impressed by the discipline exercised in this school project, which achieved the set task within the self-imposed limits. The combination of warm colours, coherence and depth makes this film an all round achievement.”
]]> <![CDATA[Christmas Holiday Activities at Bradford's Museums and Galleries]]> Bolling Hall Museum
Wed 23 Dec – Card Making Workshop

One hour slots 10-11am, 11-12, 1-2pm, 2-3pm
Booking essential - please call 01274 431826

 

Bradford Industrial Museum
Throughout December – The Industrial Museum Christmas Trail

 
Cliffe Castle
22 December - Toys and Games

11am-3pm

Explore toys old and new and make a toy to take away!

 
Bracken Hall Countryside Centre
Glen Road, Baildon Shipley, BD17 5EA

Tel: 01274 584140

Friday 18th December - guided walk around Baildon
4¾ miles following the boundary walk and paths around the moor and woodland edges.

Meet at 10.30am - Bring along a snack and a drink.

]]> <![CDATA[Journeys Through Textiles]]> Journeys Through Textiles a partnership project funded and run by English Heritage and Bradford Museums and Galleries, engaged women from local communities in Bradford and Keighley with historic museums and their textile collections.
 
Taster sessions were run in community venues where people discovered their creative skills. From these sessions a group formed, led by local artist Musarat Raza. Visits were made to Brodsworth Hall, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe Castle so the group could work from original designs, samples and the textiles on display. Inspirational talks by staff at Brodsworth Hall and Cliffe Castle Museum introduced the group to the fabulous textile collections and the fascinating history of the sites and their links to the textile industry.
 
An exhibition of the beautiful works produced as part of Journeys Through Textiles is on display at Cliffe Castle in Keighley until 13 December 2009. The exhibition highlights the range of techniques learnt including devoré, embroidery and stencilling.
 
]]> <![CDATA[Sharing European Memories project at Leeds Museum ]]> The Sharing European Memories (SEME)project involves partners in the UK, Italy, Norway, Spain and Poland, and has seen young people collecting WWII veteran memories, which will be shared across Europe in an effort to increase understanding of what war means to different cultures.

The project aims to promote intergenerational dialogue between young and old generations, by means of artistic productions and exhibitions of experienced events in real places, recording history and memories in schools, interviews, digital storytelling and other activities.

Tonight will see young people who have been involved in the project perform in a multimedia event at Leeds Museum. Visitors from Poland, Italy, Spain and Norway also taking part in the collaborative European project will see the performance for the first time, along with parents and teachers of the young performers.
]]> <![CDATA[Remembrance Day marks its 90th Anniversary]]> The Two Minute Silence oral history project, based at the University of Huddersfield, aims to capture the thoughts of people as they mark the annual Remembrance Day silence, which has its 90th anniversary on 11 November 2009.

Through the personal experience and testimony of people, young and old, and from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, they hope to explore the continuing significance of the silence as a way of reflecting on global conflict and the value of peace.
 
How do you remember?  You can listen to audio clips on My Yorkshire of Max Easterman, broadcast journalist, reflecting on his family's connections to the First World War, and his memories of Remembrance Day when he was a child.

 

Then watch the short video featuring poetry written by the schoolchildren at Spring Grove Junior School, Huddersfield reflecting the themes of war and peace mixed with testimony of an Iraqi woman's thoughts on the silence.
 
There are lots more audio clips on the Two Minute Silence project website - see Associated Link below.

Two digital stories on the My Yorkshire website were inspired by Harry Farrar, a young Halifax soldier who was sent to the Western Front in 1918: Roll of Honour and The Burnt Papers.
 
My Yorkshire also hosts several digital stories created by Leeds primary school children inspired by their meeting six World War Two veterans and local people who lived through the War.
 
And here on My Learning, we have several related Learning Journeys to explore:
]]> <![CDATA[National School Meals Week ]]> <![CDATA[Medicine at the Movies]]>

Tuesday 3 November is the opening night of Thackray Museum’s exciting new project with the deaf and hard of hearing communities. All are welcome!

 

The project invites you to explore our collections, meet the curator and handle original historical objects. Then learn film making skills with a professional film maker, and work with others to make a short film about whatever inspires you from our museum. Your film will be screened at our special premieres night in March!

 

Our opening night is open to everyone. Bring family and friends along to see a fascinating selection of medical-related film clips from the past 60 years, accompanied by a presentation by Yorkshire Film Archive. No obligation to sign up for the workshops – just come along and enjoy the films! To book your place, or to find out more contact louisebrown@thackraymuseum.org.

]]> <![CDATA[National Chocolate Week 12- 18 October 2009]]> Give your Citizenship lessons chocolate appeal for
National Chocolate Week!

Use our resources to find out how chocolate has played its part in history 



Bitter Sweet History - aspects of the British Slave Trade
Young Steel Workers, past and present - when was pay spent on Chocolate?
From the Slave Trade to Fairtrade
 
Some of our chocolate related worksheets:
The best cake in the world
Alien Invasion
Your school and the Fairtrade mark
Up and Away
Survival Kits; Shipwrecks
The Divine Chocolate Story
]]> <![CDATA[Celebrate poetry with My Learning]]> Thursday 8 October 2009 was National Poetry Day, and to celebrate we listed some of our resources featuring poems and verse:
 
Listen to two members of Museums Sheffield's Youth Forum read their poem inspired by Sam Taylor-Wood's work at Graves Gallery:
'My Life Suspended' poem by Youth Forum
 
And another inspired by Derek Boshier's 'First Toothpaste Painting':
'The Person in the Toothpaste Tube'
 
Hear a KS3 student read a poem created in response to Marc Quinn's work 'Kiss': 'Stunningly crafted and smooth'
 
Read an Anglo-Saxon poem about life in York, written by Alcuin, the great teacher, scholar and poet: York in A.D.780
 
Listen to a poem by John Hartley, a prolific West Riding dialect poet: Ahr Mary's Bonnet
 
Visit the National Poetry Day 2009 website - related link below.
 
 
]]> <![CDATA[The Big Draw 2009]]> everyone to expand the boundaries of drawing by experimenting with pencils, paint, charcoal, sand, clay, digital imagery, choreographed movement, vapour trails and much more. ]]> <![CDATA[The Black Page sale by auction]]> The Black Page exhibition at Shandy Hall celebrates the 250th anniversary of Vols I & II of Tristram Shandy by Laurence Sterne.  Page 73 of Volume I is a Black Page which marks the death of Parson Yorick.  73 artists/writers have each been asked to create a 'Black Page' for exhibition and sale by auction.

But which artist created which page? All the works are signed by the artist and for sale, but the signatures of the contributors are hidden beneath the black mounting board. Their descriptions of their work may provide clues.
Each artist has provided a description of the materials used and the making of each page and this is appended under the relevant picture on the blog, and available in the gallery.

Each Black Page is for sale by auction. Bidding starts at £73, to rise in increments of £10 minimum. Bids will be recorded in the comments under the relevant Black Page on the blog and in the gallery at Shandy Hall. Bidding will only be accepted by email shandyhall@dial.pipex.com, letter or in person to Patrick Wildgust, and will close at 11.59pm on October 31st 2009. All monies raised will contribute to the grant by English Heritage to repair the roof at Shandy Hall.
]]> <![CDATA[The Utterly Imaginative World of Lauren Child comes to Hull]]> Ferens Art Gallery in Hull is hosting an exciting touring exhibition from Manchester Art Gallery, supported by the Arts Council.  It is the first ever devoted to Lauren Child's work, has already delighted young and old alike and is set to do the same at the Ferens Art Gallery.  
 
We are pleased to offer a Free Teacher Resource Pack, family events and bookable sessions for pre-school and primary groups (see Associated Web Link below).

 

The exhibition runs from 12 September until 8 November 2009.

]]> <![CDATA[What's on at the Dales Countryside Museum]]> What's in store at the Dales Countryside Museum, Hawes, North Yorkshire this September - from 6 to 27 September 2009 there will be an exhibition of recent work by the Textile Pool, called A Stitch in Paradise.


EVENTS
 

Tuesday 1 September
Friends of the Museum will be spinning and rugmaking in the museum reception between 2 and 4pm


Thursday 3 September
Red Squirrel Conservation Talk 12.30 – 1.30

Friday 11 September
Friends of the museum will be dressed up in the Victorian Kitchen looking at preserving techniques

Sunday 13 September
Digital cameras and computer skills.  10.30am – 4pm.  Learn how to manipulate your images.  Bring your own camera and computer cable.  Charge £12. Booking essential

Friday 18 September
Friends of the Museum host an evening lecture at 7.30.  David Joy will talk on ‘The Settle Carlisle Line – Ribblehead Viaduct and Blea Moor Tunnel’.  Non members welcome

The museum is open every day between 10am and 5pm
Contact the museum for more details of events or to book on
01969 666210, hawes@yorkshiredales.org.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Exploring Local History - A Beginners Guide]]> Come and find out how to begin looking into the history of where you live. Sheffield’s Libraries and Archives have a huge amount of information to help you research your part of Sheffield: photographs, maps, plans, newspapers, school records, business archives and much more.

An archivist and librarian will guide you through how to access these materials at the Central Library and Sheffield Archives as well as how to access information about Archives and Local Studies on the web.
 
Venue: -
Woodhouse Library
Tannery Street
Sheffield
S13 7JU
 
To book your place on this popular free event please contact Sheffield Archives Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Beginning Your Family History - An Introduction]]> Have you got the family tree bug?

If you have and you want to find out about what’s available at Sheffield Local Studies Library and Sheffield Archives to help you track down your ancestors come along and hear genealogical expert Suzanne Bingham.

You’ll learn about how to begin tracing your ancestors and how to begin using census returns, birth, marriage and death certificates and church registers etc.
 
Date: 9 September 2009
 
Venue: St Marys Community Centre Bramall Lane Sheffield S2 4QZ
 
To book a place on this popular free event contact Sheffield Archives Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Looking After Your Family Papers and Books]]> Come and hear from one of Sheffield Libraries and Archive’s Conservators on how to look after your treasured family papers and valuable books.

Most of us have books or important family papers passed down to us. This session will tell you how to look after them and how to store them safely so that you can pass them on to your loved ones.

If you bring along books or documents the conservator will offer you practical advice on how to care for them.
 
Date: 25 September 2009
 
Venue: Sheffield Archives 52 Shoreham Street Sheffield S1 4SP
 
To book your place on this popular free event Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[How to Read Old Handwriting - Some Practical Tips]]> If you’re researching local or family history you’ll have come across documents that look difficult to read, but with a little practice and some hints and tips from a Sheffield archivist you’ll soon be reading documents from the 16th and 17th centuries.

At this event you have the chance to see and read original documents from the collections at Sheffield Archives.
 
Date: 20 November 2009
 
Venue: Sheffield Archives 52 Shoreham Street Sheffield S1 4SP
 
To  book your place on this popular FREE event contact Sheffield Archives Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Silver Screen Week at Fairfax House, York]]> Fairfax House opens its doors and remembers the era when this building was a cinema in a special Silver Screen Week to be held in September 2009.

From 13th to 20th September to mark the 25th year anniversary since the building opened as a House Museum, Fairfax House will be running a special cinema week and screening old films that were shown when the House when it was run as a cinema. The building was owned between 1921 -1965 by the St George’s Cinema Company and during those years the City of York was awash with cinemas – there were 10 cinema buildings in total in fairly close proximity to each other.
 
THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH (U) Sunday 20th September at 12.45

A young couple inherit a cinema which is falling apart and run by a comically incompetent staff.

 


]]> <![CDATA[Key Sources for Family History]]> Have you got the family tree bug?
If you have and you want to find out what’s available at Sheffield Local Studies Library and Sheffield Archives to help you track down your ancestors, this is the best place to find out.

During this full day workshop you’ll have the chance to develop skills in using census returns, newspapers, church registers, the electoral register and other sources from the Sheffield collections.

Tickets must be booked in advance and will not be available on the door. There is a charge of £10 per person for this whole day event
Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[Yorkshire Museums Conference - 19 June, Bradford]]> ‘The Art of Persuasion: How to win friends and influence people’

National Media Museum, Bradford
Friday 19 June 2009, 10.00am - 4.00pm
BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW for the biennial Fed Conference (formerly held at Dewsbury Town Hall) - the perfect opportunity to meet up with friends and colleagues, network, and catch up with what's happening in our region and nationally.

Aimed at everyone working in and for museums and art galleries in Yorkshire and surrounding regions.  The theme of the conference is based on the premise that as museums we exercise our powers of persuasion constantly to persuade people to visit, to fund us, to promote us, to spend money in the shop, to visit an exhibition, to read a text panel… the list goes on.

Our speakers will each give their own perspective on the theme, and
delegates will be able to participate in two break-out/workshop sessions on subjects ranging from retail, tourism and marketing, to front-of-house, branding and advocacy.  

Iain Watson, Assistant Director of Tyne and Wear Museums and Director of the Great North Museum project will give the keynote speech.  And there will, of course, be a round-up of the latest developments in Yorkshire and nationally with contributions from Nick Dodd (Renaissance Yorkshire), Keith Bartlett (MLA’s Director of Engagement, North) and Mark Taylor (MA). 

Thanks to sponsorship from Renaissance Yorkshire and the kindness of the National Media Museum in providing the venue, the cost has been kept to £15 per delegate, to cover refreshment costs.

The programme and booking form are available to download from the Fed website at: www.yhfed.org.uk (just register on the site if you don't already have a Fed login, and you will then have access to downloads) or by request to admin@yhfed.org.uk

]]> <![CDATA[Working with Historical Documents]]> <![CDATA[Find out what's on for Yorkshire Geology Month]]> Yorkshire Geology Month is an annual event that runs throughout the month of May.

It brings together all  the organisations in Yorkshire that run public events involving Earth Science - this could be anything from a lecture or a guided walk to a trip down a mine or a fossil roadshow.

For a list of the events that are happening in Yorkshire Geology Month visit www.yorkshiregeologymonth.com (see Associated Web Link below).

Who can get involved?    Absolutely anyone!  The fundamental part of Yorkshire Geology Month is making Earth Science accessible to everyone, so don’t be scared of any jargon, the vast majority of the events are aimed at everybody.

Yorkshire has a fantastic range of geology, from great coal deposits that helped to drive the industrial revolution to the dinosaur footprints that bring to life a long forgotten world. It is important to highlight how important geology is to everybody, it provides petrol for your car or rubber for your shoes, it dictates water that we drink and the plants and animals around us, remember geology underpins EVERYTHING.
 
Check out these geology-related resources on My Learning too:
 
Ideas and Evidence in Science - the Kirkdale Cave
Ruskin and Nature
Lead Mining in the Yorkshire Dales
]]> <![CDATA[Duke Visits Dales Countryside Museum]]> Red squirrels and relics from the past were all talking points for the Duke of Gloucester during a visit to the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes in April.

The Duke, who was accompanied by Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, met Kevin Lancaster, the chairman of Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and Authority Deputy Chief Executive Jon Avison as well as members of the YDNPA staff.

He was then taken on a tour of the Museum by its Manager Fiona Rosher and Steve Macaré, the Authority’s Member Champion for Promoting Understanding (see picture).

“He was very interested in the artefacts in the Museum, particularly in our Victorian kitchen,” Fiona said.

Steve said: “It was a great opportunity to explain some of the special qualities of the National Park to him and to highlight different aspects of the cultural heritage of the Yorkshire Dales.”

He also met YNDPA Area Ranger for Upper Wensleydale Matt Neale, who explained briefly how the Authority was working to conserve endangered red squirrels in the area.

The Duke’s trip round the Museum was one of several stops on a visit to the town.   He also visited Gayle Mill, the Wensleydale Creamery and the Ropemakers.
]]> <![CDATA[Explore Art at Leeds Art Gallery]]> Come to the launch of our new and exciting Learning Pack
on Wednesday 13 May, 4.30pm - 6.00pm at Leeds Art Gallery.
 

Our Primary and Secondary Learning Packs have been produced with the help of teachers and artists. They are packed full of curriculum links, pre-, post- and on-site activities, photocopiable sheets and questions to help you and your students explore Art and Creativity.


What do the teachers say? "The lesson plans are brilliant. The questions are very helpful and will encourage children to look at art with 'open eyes'". "A fantastic resource".

Teachers attending the launch will receive a free copy of the Learning Pack and will be able to advance book for our summer workshops:
Be an Art Detective and Ways of Seeing.

RSVP by 7 May 2009 to amanda1.phillips@leeds.gov.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there!
]]> <![CDATA[My Family My Story: research report now available]]> One of the projects funded through the Strategic Commissioning programme between April 2008 and March 2009 explored how partnerships between schools and museums can enhance literacy and language learning and create new opportunities for learning outside the classroom for particular groups,including families.
 
The World of James Herriot and Dr Kate Pahl, Senior Lecturer, Department of Educational Studies, University of Sheffield, worked together with the local extended schools co-ordinator and Thirsk community school (you can find out how to run your own family storytelling project on the My Family My Story learning journey on My Learning).
  
Kate is writing about the project for a chapter in a book to be published by Teachers College, New York on Literacy Learning Through Artifacts.
 
In her report for MLA Kate says "This project showed enormous gains in terms of increasing families' confidence, their ability to listen to each other and give space to children who might otherwise be quiet in class. It enabled practitioners to work together in new ways from the museum and the school. It had great potential as a creative methodology that also provided listening opportunities.  The school said that the skills the children acquired could be used in class to support speaking and listening and literacy."

To download the report, just click the Associated Web Link below.
]]> <![CDATA[Aspects of Sheffield]]> Sheffield was recently described as One of the UK's least historic cities (History Today).


Sheffield is hoping to acknowledge its medieval origins in the shape of a visitors centre at Manor Lodge and a city centre park centred on the remains of its long lost castle. Ron Clayton, "Professional Sheffielder", but more often described as a Local Historian looks back at the articles, materials and above all, books that lead to his fascination and familiarity with Sheffield’s history.


In addition there will be a small exhibition of historic materials from the collections at Sheffield Archives and Sheffield Local Studies Library.
 
Date: 10 December 2009
Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 10 St James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW
 
To book your place on this popular free event contact Sheffield Archives Tel 0114 203 9395 e-mail archives@sheffield.gov.uk
]]> <![CDATA[eSafety and Young People Conference: speaker presentations and useful links]]> The eSafety and Young People Conference held at Leeds City Museum on 16 March, brought together over 60 delegates from around the region, to find out more about the eSafety issues affecting the young people that they work with. There was a great mixture of delegates from a range of backgrounds which promoted some interesting discussions and the event received very positive feedback.
 
The speakers' presentations and links to further useful information on the subject of eSafety and Cyberbullying are available on the Yorkshire & Humberside Grid for Learning's website - just follow the Associated Web Link below.
]]> <![CDATA[Minibeasts has a new scary sountrack!]]> French student Judith Dehail was recently commissioned to write a soundtrack for My Learning's very popular Minibeasts interactive.
 
 
 
Here Judith writes about her background and what she felt about being asked to write a soundtrack for Minibeasts.

I live in France and studied musicology for 3 years in Bordeaux. The degree is called a ‘Licence’ in France, the equivalent of a BA. We had classes at the University and at the Conservatoire of Bordeaux, where I played the clarinet and sang in a vocal ensemble. This is where I was first introduced to computer music and to ‘acoustique musicale’ (electronic music, or musique concrète). I studied musicology as an exchange student at University College Berkeley, California for the first year of my Masters degree. This year, I moved to Lyon, where I am studying Museology in Museum studies for the second year of my Masters, at the University of Lyon and at the Ecole Normale Superieure.

A few years ago I had the wonderful opportunity to do an internship at the Metropolitan Museum of New York in their Musical Instruments Department. This confirmed my interest in both music practices and in museums.

I am interested in how music can be used in museums. Creating a soundtrack for York Museum’s Minibeasts interactive has given me the opportunity to integrate music and sounds in a museum setting. I wanted to put the basic computer music skills I had learnt at university to practical use. Often I had ideas but wasn’t sure how to make them real. Working with Lars Wagner has been great, as he knows a lot about music programmes and media, and has been able to help me bring everything together.

Working on the Minibeasts project has taught me a lot, of course, about computer music, also about how to handle a project from beginning to end, and how to respond to expectations and manage constraints.

Lars Wagner who assisted Judith in writing the soundtrack studied audiovisual media at the University of Applied Sciences, Stuttgart, where he completed a degree in Media Engineering. While having been mainly involved in graphic design, arts and new media design at the beginning of his studies, he got the chance to deepen his interest in film and the moving image. After several independent short films and music video productions he started working as a freelance professional for a German film production company. In the five years as a producer and production manager he shot worldwide TV Campaigns and corporate films for clients such as Chupa Chups, Bosch and Manhattan Cosmetics. Besides his passion for film he was always involved in independent music, singing in a band, setting up shows and supporting tours.

Lars is currently working as a freelance producer and works with photography, electronic music production and new media.

]]> <![CDATA[eSafety and Young People - the issues for museums, libraries, archives and schools]]> A free, regional conference to raise awareness and discuss the issues surrounding eSafety and young people.  For those involved in Museums, Libraries and Archives Services to schools and young people, and others involved in education.


Monday 16 March 2009, 9.30am – 3.45pm
Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH


Speakers and topics to include:

  • Andy Brookes, YHGfL
    eSafety: What is it? Why should we worry about it? What can we do about it?
  • Sue Pickering, British Educational Communications Technology Agency
    How Becta Are Working to Safeguard Children Online
  • John Stead, Anti-Bullying Alliance
    Cyberbullying: A 21st Century Issue for Young People and Schools
  • Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
    CEOP: What Young People Do Online
  • Andrew Lickley and Andy Brookes, YHGfL
    Video Conferencing and eSafety: Issues for Libraries and Museums

Refreshments and buffet lunch included.  Places are limited and must be booked in advance by completing the booking form – places allocated on a first come, first served basis.

]]> <![CDATA[Create your Lasting Moment in Leeds!]]> Visit the Lasting Moment website to explore photographer Marc Riboud’s images and add your own pictures of Leeds! This website is inspired by the exhibition of the works of photographer, Marc Riboud, taking place at Leeds City Museum until 28 June 2009.
 
In 1954 a young French photographer, Marc Riboud, visited Leeds on assignment from Picture Post. A few of these images were printed but the rest were lost until 2004. This rediscovery prompted Riboud to return to Leeds. The City had moved on and his colour pictures capture the city’s growth! Now we want you to continue this, illustrating your Leeds. Share your city, then and now, through your images, thoughts and memories.
 
Visit the Leeds Museums and Galleries website for more information about Marc Riboud and the exhibition or go straight to Lasting Moment website and start exploring and adding your own images!
 
If you have any questions about the exhibition, contact the Curator of Exhibitions at the City Museum. For questions about the lasting moment website, email us at lasting.moment@leeds.gov.uk. ]]> <![CDATA[My Learning's Google maps adds a new dimension to Bradford's Inventions in Transport!]]> Thanks to our brand new Google maps feature, now you can not only download images and read all about the ground-breaking inventions in motor engineering and transport that were being developed in Bradford in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, you can also look at aerial map views of where it all happened!
 
Just click on the  Associated Web Link below to try it out yourself - each plot on the Bradford map takes you straight to lots of information and images about what was invented there.
 
See where, in 1901, John House used to run 3-cylinder Daimlers from the Yorkshire Penny Bank to Lister Park gates, at a fare of 1 penny, or where, in 1907, the first tramcars to run on taper tracks between Bradford and Leeds set off from.
]]> <![CDATA[NEW Interactive Egyptians and Animals in Sheffield ]]> You and your class attends a morning workshop at Museums Sheffield: Weston Park then uses Ultra-Mobile PCs in the afternoon to follow an interactive trail around the museum.
Completing puzzles, activities and games, pupils will learn something new as well as reinforcing what they have learnt.
Pupils also create a Word document, in which they can record answers verbally, which the school is given on CD to be used for follow up work or class presentations.
There are two trails available: the ancient Egyptians or animal adaptation. Suitable for upper KS2. £115 for the day. Choose either an 'Interactive Egyptians' or 'Interactive Animals' day.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Jacqueline O’Neil on 0114 2782653. To book a session, please contact Pauline Sharkey on 0114 2782655.

]]> <![CDATA[Subscribe to our My Learning E-News Bulletin]]> Sign up for our My Learning news bulletin - delivered to you by email once each school term - and keep up-to-date with the latest learning resources, news and events from museums, galleries, libraries and archives in the north of England..
 
Click here and enter your contact details online to subscribe.
 
If you miss an edition of our e-newsletter, or just want to refer back to one that you received previously - you can now access all our My Learning E-Bulletins on the Online Archive page - just follow the Associated Web Link below.
]]> <![CDATA[Hull Traders: Revolutionary Post-War Fabrics and Furniture]]>
Big bold abstracts in eye-popping colours, Shirley Craven's extraordinary textiles capture all the exuberance of the Swinging Sixties.  A ground-breaking exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery in Hull - Craven's native city - celebrates Craven's remarkable creative partnership with Hull Traders, the company who printed her designs.
]]>