The British Library’s Listen Up! Workshop

Suitable for ages 7 - 11
At Venue
Enjoy this hands-on workshop from The British Library where your students will learn all about sounds; history, textures and create their own.

Key Info

Did you know the British Library is home to the nation’s sound archive? An extraordinary collection of over 6.5 million recordings of speech, music, wildlife and the environment, these recordings – from the UK and around the world – date from the birth of recorded sound in the 1880s to the present day.

Listen Up: Dive into Sound (90mins)
In this mindful and creative workshop, learners’ develop confidence in listening and responding to sounds from a wide range of contexts. They will uncover the history of recorded sound, experience how a sound can transform a space, tune into the everyday noises around them and see where close listening can take the imagination. Inspired by these experiences, they will create original responses through discussion, drawing, writing, mapping and movement.

Playful and exploratory, Listen Up! supports learner well-being, encouraging grounding in the moment as we focus on the sounds around us.

Listen Up: Sound Lab (90mins)
What do we hear when we play with sound? What do textures sound like? How can we amplify the sound of drawing? What do we create when we mix sounds together?

Inspired by the history of recorded sound, students will use a range of techniques to create, collect, amplify, mix, layer and record sound. They will use digital equipment including speakers and contact microphones as well as sandpaper and pencils. This exploratory and hands-on session culminates in a performance of sound compositions celebrating learners’ creativity and experimentation.

Sessions can be booked as a stand-alone workshop, or combined to make a full day at the Library. If booked on the same day, one session will run before lunch and one after lunch.

Curriculum Links
Subjects
Music
Age suitability
Ages
Suitable for ages 7 - 11
Key Stages
KS2
Curriculum Levels
Second Level
Things to know
Type
At Venue
Location
The British Library, London
Duration
90 minutes
Min. students
10 (no minimum number for SEN groups)
Max. students
30
Dates
Ongoing
Price
Free
SEND
Yes - suitable for students with SEND

About The British Library

The British Library offers an expansive programme for primary and secondary learners which encourages curiosity, creativity and exploration, enriching the curriculum and developing lifelong learning skills.

Visits are free of charge, available all year round and can be self-guided or led by one of their Learning facilitators.

New workshops for this year include explorations of their map and artists’ books collections. Plus, find out more about library tours, workshops and private views related to their upcoming exhibitions Animals: Art, Science and Sound, and Fantasy: Realms of Imagination, as well as ground-breaking exhibitions on digital storytelling and author Malorie Blackman.

Fancy a chat?
We’re here to help!

Send us an email or give us a call if you have any questions or would like more information.

Email

hello@theschooltrip.co.uk

Or Call

020 8064 0974

Prices are correct at the time of publication. All costs, unless otherwise specified, include VAT.