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Puppet Portal-Hospital C-Day 1

Fun first day. Began with mix of stick puppet and shadow theatre.  Lighting in classroom changed usuaol atmosphere which was nice.Three teenage boys participated in a sketch of Christopher Columbus interviewing `Sea Monsters`.  I didn`t touch on the issues I hoped to though - how fears are defeated with experience. At least not in the way I expected.  But performing in front of peers made an impact on them, I feel. And they really laughed at their own jokes when viewing back the videoed material.

Participants inputed background knowledge from their own school studies and their interests.

Sometimes tricky to keep attention-especially when we moved out of hospital schoolroom. Lesson: Make a checklist, set tasks before leaving, then go.  And try in future to bring images/people to classroom rather than going out to the wards where they are used to `being  sick.` Makes me realise that the schoolroom is a very different environment for them.

Technology is a definite interest for this age group so we edited a stopmotion together on Photostory and they improvised a script which we recorded over the edit. 

Group was also open to puppetry - which surprised me in a way.  They seemed up for any bit of fun and creativity.  One in particular was hesitant at first but later threw himself into it when it related to him ie. what they`d would like to be when they grow up. The stopmotion demonstrated their general medical experience and interest.

Massive support from staff today and thanks to that it was a really good learning experience.  Level of care and encouragement of teaching staff also inspiring.

Coming and going of participants (to examinations/scans etc) can be disconcerting but they go with flow so project can adjust too.  Develop on themes explored today. Build in some editing as option for older participants in the afternoon.

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