P5’s visited Seamus Heaney’s HomePlace in Bellaghy on Tuesday 3rd December 2019 as part of their 'Poetry' topic.
Firstly, the children took part in a poetry workshop called ‘Time to Rhyme’ completing challenges linked to onomatopoeia, alliteration, sibilance and rhyming work. They completed a poem in groups and then read it aloud to their year group peers at the front of the auditorium. Next they were given a tour of the gallery where they used audio sets to listen to Seamus Heaney reading his own poems. Hearing his voice really brought the exhibition to life. The children also got to see pictures of Heaney's family and siblings and to read about them.
For the 'Rhythm' workshop children played games making words using letters given. This was followed by the 'Imagination and Inspiration' workshop where children looked at lots of pictures and objects that had influenced Heaney’s poems.
Heaney said in an interview “I learned what inspiration feels like but not how to summon it… I learned that waiting is part of the work."
The final workshop was 'Art' where the children were encouraged to get creative.
This was a wonderful and memorable day out for all the Year 5 children, their Teachers, and Teaching Assistants. It was the perfect follow-up to their recent work on poetry in class. It really gave everyone a greater insight into the life and times of Seamus Heaney.
