By Kate Hodges
07th November 2019
EVENT and DO Spool’s Out
The Into Film Festival is the world’s largest film and education event for young people, with over 3000 free screenings and events across the UK. The festival aims to inspire young people to watch and understand film in new and creative ways, and is open to all educators of young people, including, of course, home educators. Their film resources are excellent; use their film guides as a basis to explore topics and themes from all disciplines and subjects, and their action packs to create projects such as work inspired by archive footage or a two-shot film using portraits. Be inspired to make your own film with a message by the lovely Save Bobby The Fish made by young animators from Hilderthorpe Primary School. Until November 22.
MAKE Easy Stitching
Finger knitting is a classic Waldorf school activity, and it’s easy and fun for any child to master. All you need is a ball of yarn and some willing digits. Try these child-friendly instructions that come complete with a song or this slightly more intricate take. Once you have your ‘ropes’ made, use them to make bracelets, rugs, scarves for dolls and humans, or even gigantic, outdoor art installations!
EVENT and LEARN Top of the Poppies
Sunday is Remembrance Day, a time to think about everyone who sacrificed their lives for their country during wars. However, at a time of enormous global uncertainty, any glamorisation of conflict can seem at odds with what we teach our children. The White Poppy movement, run each year by the Peace Pledge Union, represents remembrance for all victims of war worldwide, including civilians and those in conflicts that are still happening; a commitment to world peace, and a challenge to those who would celebrate wars.
RECIPE Empty Bins
We’re diving into the no-waste recipes at the Guardian online this week. These Carrot and Parsnip Compost Cookies use root vegetables to add earthiness, while Meera Sodha’s vegan Potato Masala Toasties are thrifty and filling. The guide to livening up old spices is useful for anyone with a drawer full of tired curry powder while Yotam Ottolenghi’s clever way with stock vegetables is unmissable.
EVENT Capital Show
Saturday’s free Lord Mayor’s Show might seem a quaint tradition; the great and ‘good’ of the city garlanding themselves in their finest jewellery and parading through the streets. But there’s a lot more going on than stuffy old dudes in tricorn hats sitting in gold-encrusted carriages. The giant basket-woven figures of Gog and Magog, the guardians of the city, lend a Summerisle-style pagan feel to the procession, while tanks, vintage cars, horses and marching bands create a show over which kids will go nuts. Find out more about the event’s rowdy history here. After the parade, why not take one of the free guided walks of the stranger corners of the city? Download a map of the day’s events here
What we’ve been reading this week:
When your child comes out as transgender: a Q&A with Sue Chitayi
“Since my son started his transition I have witnessed an amazing change in him - from being withdrawn and depressed to a young man who is full of confidence, will speak publicly, shows loads of affection to me and who has an incredible social life - this just proves that he is now the person he was always meant to be.” More here
