Resource reviews: Wicked Active Learning
Hattie Fisk
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Hattie Fisk takes a look at Wicked's Active Learning platform for teachers.
Are you on the hunt for a new education resource to tackle issues such as bullying, wellbeing and PSHE topics with musical theatre? If the answer is yes, then look no further than the latest offering from award-winning stage musical Wicked.
The production itself is famously about nurturing self-esteem, overcoming discrimination and finding a sense of identity. These new educational resources, created by educators for educators, address these themes and break them down for exploration with your students.
With an education pack for primary also on the way, there are resources available for the Key Stage 3 and 4 English classroom and Drama in secondary, as well as an anti-bullying resource in collaboration with the Anti-Bullying Alliance and a diversity, inclusion and wellbeing lesson pack in partnership with Twinkl education company.
The education pack for Drama is comprehensive, containing character profile forms for students to fill out, as well as suggested warm-up activities and lessons of various lengths analysing the physicality, gestures and character in Wicked. One standout lesson plan is titled ‘Response to Live Theatre Analysis’, in which teachers are instructed to scatter production images around the room to spark inventive responses to the show from their students.
One minor drawback is that while some of the exercises could be used in a regular class, it is evident that the lesson plan is for those who have seen the musical in person, limiting the number of schools who could use it. With other free education packs on the market currently that have broadened the scope of their exercises to all students, regardless of whether they have seen the show, it would be encouraging to see more activities of this type from Wicked Active Learning. Having said that, the way these lesson plans have been styled enables further depth of analysis, and the company does provide assistance for schools that are strapped for cash to help organise of a trip to the theatre.
In addition to the promising selection of resources, Wicked Active Learning are currently offering over 60 per cent of savings on their school trip tickets, a 20-page guide to planning a school trip to the show and free risk assessment supporting resources. Official workshops for students are also available from the Wicked team.
