Resource 5

National Drama Drama

Community cohesion and the prevention of violent extremism
A resource for teachers to use in the classroom


Resource title
The Arrival, by Shaun Tan
Source: See attached Word document Scheme of Work
Outline
This Scheme of Work, based on the graphic novel The Arrival, by Shaun Tan (2007), published by Hodder Children's Books, offers teachers and pupils the opportunity to use imagined experience, role and collective narrative development to engage with a number of key themes including:
  • migration
  • cultural diversity
  • separation
  • identity
Images from this novel are suggested as starting points for the development of a sustained drama, which will offer students opportunities to engage with some of the political, social and economic issues, which cause people to take enormous risks in moving away from their homelands. Key images may be viewed on the author's website www.shauntan.net as well as www.ozcomics.com and via a search of Google images.

This resource provides a detailed step-by-step scheme of drama work using imagined and non-specific national boundaries and cultures. The extensive range of drama strategies can help pupils to develop understandings of the migrant experience and reflect on the ways in which existing communities respond to new arrivals.

Drama strategies used in this scheme include:
  • teacher in role
  • thought-tracking
  • image making
  • drawing and writing in role
  • sound collage
  • performance carousel
  • talking objects
  • improvisation
The Scheme of Work also outlines some possible learning objectives such as learning to understand the way 'objects' can become significant symbols.
Links across other subjects within resource
PSHE education, English, Art, Music
Additional support
Hodder publishers http://www.hodderchildrens.co.uk/BOOKS-FOR-9_12-YEARS__THE-ARRIVAL_H_book.htm
One World Migration Guide www.one.world.net/guides/migration
Migration Information Source www.migrationinformation.org
An interview with Shaun Tan about his graphic novel, The Arrival www.ozcomics.com