Core Skills Analysis
Art and Design
Jaxson crafted his own sign and a throwing eye ball for the zombie crawl, selecting colours, arranging letters, and shaping the eye ball from materials he chose. While making the sign, he practiced visual composition by balancing text and imagery, and he experimented with texture when decorating the eye ball. This hands‑on project helped Jaxson develop fine motor skills, understand basic design principles, and express creativity through a themed artwork. He also reflected on how his creations would look in the festive Halloween setting.
Physical Education
Jaxson and his friends walked the length of Newquay town during the zombie crawl, navigating streets, turning corners, and keeping pace with the group. The activity required stamina, coordination, and spatial awareness as they moved through crowds and varied terrain. By participating, Jaxson improved his cardiovascular fitness, practiced safe movement in public spaces, and learned teamwork by staying with his friends. He also experienced the excitement of role‑playing as a zombie, which added a playful element to physical exertion.
Geography
During the day Jaxson traveled to different shows and workshops around Newquay, observing how the town’s layout guided the flow of the zombie crawl route. He identified landmarks, noted changes in the environment from one location to another, and considered why certain venues were chosen for performances. This real‑world exploration helped Jaxson develop an understanding of local geography, map reading skills, and awareness of how community spaces can be used for events. He also discussed how the town’s streets facilitated movement for large groups.
Drama & Performing Arts
Jaxson joined his performer friends at various workshops and Halloween parties, taking part in role‑play as a zombie and supporting the shows with his sign. He practiced expressive movement, vocal projection, and audience interaction while moving through the themed crawl. The experience allowed him to explore character development, understand stagecraft basics, and appreciate collaborative storytelling. By engaging in these performances, Jaxson built confidence in public presentation and learned how props enhance a narrative.
Tips
Encourage Jaxson to design a simple map of the zombie crawl route, labeling key landmarks and adding symbols for each performance stop. Host a mini‑workshop at home where he creates additional props or costumes, experimenting with recycled materials to deepen his design skills. Plan a short, scripted “zombie walk” in the backyard where he can rehearse character movement and timing, then invite family members to act as audience. Finally, take a photo‑journal approach: have Jaxson record short notes or sketches of each venue to build a personal scrapbook of the day’s events.
Book Recommendations
- The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury: A magical adventure that explores Halloween traditions around the world, perfect for a child who loves spooky celebrations.
- My First Book of Mazes by Gail Gibbons: A collection of age‑appropriate mazes that helps develop spatial reasoning and fine motor skills, echoing Jaxson’s navigation of the town.
- The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt: A humorous story about creative expression and design, inspiring young artists to think about colour and purpose.
Learning Standards
- Art and Design – KS1 National Curriculum: "Use a range of materials, tools and techniques to create artwork" (NC Art 1.1).
- Physical Education – KS1: "Demonstrate competence in a range of physical activities" (NC PE 1.1) and "Move confidently in a variety of ways" (NC PE 1.2).
- Geography – KS1: "Identify and locate places of interest in the local area" (NC Geog 1.1) and "Use basic symbols to represent features on a map" (NC Geog 1.2).
- Drama and Performing Arts – KS1: "Take part in drama activities, showing imagination and confidence" (NC Drama 1.1) and "Use simple props and costumes to enhance performance" (NC Drama 1.2).
Try This Next
- Worksheet: Create a simple map of the zombie crawl route, labeling landmarks and adding a legend for props.
- Writing Prompt: Write a short diary entry from the perspective of a zombie describing the day's events and feelings.