Into the Eye of the Storm

Year 3 are currently immersed in one of history’s greatest survival stories – Ernest Shackleton’s legendary Antarctic expedition. Through a combination of drama, role play and diary writing, our students are discovering that the best way to understand history is to live it.

Teachers use Drama activities to bring the Endurance’s journey to life. Students become members of Shackleton’s crew. Through carefully structured role play, they explore the sailors’ feelings and emotions developing an understanding of these historical figures. This exploration serves a dual purpose: it ignites curiosity about the expedition while providing invaluable opportunities to develop oracy skills. Students are able to articulate their characters’ perspectives with increasing confidence and sophistication.

The drama then becomes the foundation for authentic diary writing. Year 3 navigated a ferocious storm in the South Atlantic, complete with atmospheric sound effects and – to their absolute delight – real water! The shared area transformed into the pitching deck of the Endurance as students battled imaginary waves and secured their cargo against the elements.

When the students returned to their desks, they were bursting with ideas, sensory details and genuine emotion to capture on the page. This immersive approach to literacy demonstrates how powerful drama can be as a tool for engagement, comprehension and creative expression.