Literature & Creative Writing Workshops at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle: Every Wednesday at the Museum in the company of a book!

In the context of its educational activities, the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle continues for the second year the successful operation of literacy and creative writing workshops for children aged 5-10 years old.

From October until April, every Wednesday evening from 6-7.30 pm, the Museum will welcome the young bibliophiles with a different children’s literature book that will lead children into the world of imagination, critical thinking and creativity!

Workshop Instructor: Katerina Tzavara, Author – MSc Educator

Organbizer: Museum of Macedonian Struggle

Scientific context of the project:

• Literacy and Creative Writing involve a wide range of skills (positive attitude towards reading, interest in literary books, development of critical and creative thinking, literacy skills, social skills, etc.) and offer children the opportunity to discuss and express in a creative way – away from the stress of grades – their opinions, desires, concerns and dreams!

• Creative writing offers a unique journey into the world of literature, cultivates emotional intelligence and communication skills, enriches and improves oral and written language, promotes positive life values, enhances creative expression and personal development. The facilitator in the creative writing process works in a supportive way for each child and at the same time motivates the group so that everyone can unfold their thoughts and talents and is gradually led to self-activity and creative communication with each other.

• The role of the animator is catalytic as he/she empowers the children with appropriate group management techniques to build self-esteem, courage and flexible thinking through reading and writing games.

• The Museum provides a fertile ground for the children’s skills, original ideas and emotions to develop. It is an attractive environment that stimulates imagination and natural curiosity and motivates them to express themselves creatively. Interaction with the exhibits is linked and harmoniously combined with the enjoyment of reading books. A historical museum, such as the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, can “tell” many stories from the past and give young book lovers the opportunity to write their own original stories, while understanding the evolution of man through time, changes in everyday life, local history and great historical events. Children and parents participate in activities that combine knowledge with entertainment and information with play and the arts.

Purpose of the workshops:

Reading books is not a luxury, it is love, knowledge, safety, empathy, companionship, exploration, play, entertainment!

The operation of the workshops has a twofold objective: to make children love reading literature and to make them love the museum as a place of historical knowledge and entertainment. It aims: a) to build a community of active readers of preschool and primary school age 5-10 years old who will acquire reading skills and cultivate reading engagement for literary enjoyment and learning, b) the creation of critical readers (future active citizens) who will create original literary work in a museum environment, as a wonderful setting for real and imaginary stories and c) the socialisation of children in an attractive cultural educational context.

Workshop content – Activities :

Through a scientifically structured and original programme of activities, suitable for the age, temperament and needs of children, we will discover the secret messages hidden in books, we will dive into the colours of Art, the magic of theatre and cinema, we will experiment with digital writing and drawing games, we will get to know authors and illustrators!

And all this in the halls of the Museum, talking and playing with the exhibits.

The workshops will take place in different rooms of the Museum depending on the references that will link the literary history with the exhibits or the building itself. Small activities will also take place in the exterior space around the Museum. The reading and discussion of the books will be followed by story animation activities, such as exploratory discovery games, painting and illustration, theatre games, the creation of a new story or poetic text, digital games, watching a film, etc.

The thematic units will change every two weeks so that the children have enough time to process the stimuli and materials of the workshops. A different children’s literature book will be the starting point for inspiration and a field of creative approach each time, as well as extracts from other books, poems and visual artworks, observations in nature, small investigations and games on the Internet, award-winning short films, photographs and, of course, the museum material itself! Children will learn about important books of Greek and foreign literature for children, as well as their author(s) and illustrators. They will get to know the structure, the narrative elements of the stories, the unique way in which we can read and write short stories and texts in poetic form. We draw on children’s experiences, play with words, show them how not to be afraid of writing and reading in school. At the end of the workshops, a series of multi-thematic texts, illustrated by the little museum-goers, will be presented!

The number of places is limited.

Information – Reservations:  2310229778 & kemit.education@imma.edu.gr

Curriculum vitae of the rapporteur:

Katerina Tzavara is a teacher and writer. She lives in Thessaloniki and is a graduate of the American College ANATOLIA, with pedagogical studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her postgraduate studies and research interests focus on Creative Writing in Education and Physical Activity and Quality of Life for Children. She worked for many years in private and public education in teaching and administrative positions. She was in charge of the Internship for students at the TEPAE AUTH and responsible for the Professional Development and Career Office of the D.I.E.K. and I.I.E.K. of Thessaloniki of the 0.E.E.K.. For three years she was the instructor of the Creative Writing Club for children at the IANOS culture chain of Thessaloniki and today she is the scientific manager and instructor of the Creative Expression & Writing Club for adults at the Chalkos Gallery Art Gallery.

She collaborates with public and private institutions as a scientific manager of educational activities and trainings. She participates as a lecturer in international conferences, trainings and workshops on art and literacy in education. She writes articles in print and electronic journals. She is a member of the Greek IBBY, E.E.P.EK. and the Women’s Literary Fellowship. Since 2019 she has been working in the educational programs of the Museum of Macedonian Struggle in Thessaloniki. 24 books for children and teachers have been published by DIAPLOUS Publications, as well as her first collection of short stories for adults entitled “TWELVE / Stories born in Thessaloniki”.

You can watch the video of the children’s activities and stories in the previous Literacy & Creative Writing workshops here: