The author of “Garbuska” led a series of activities during which the children discovered their dreams, learned to face their fears and recognized their worth. The activities were full of emotion and engagement, both on the part of the children and the facilitator.
– Mrs. Grażyna was able to reach every child, answer the most difficult question and solve the biggest problem – says Emilia Wiśniowiecka, the teacher of class 3a and the initiator of the writer’s meeting with the students, describing the workshops. – It was time spent creatively and effectively.
The workshops were held in six classes and lasted three days. The writer was hosted, among others, by Emilia Wiśniowiecka and class 3a, Paulina Kowalczyk and class 3b, Katarzyna Braun and class one, Izabela Filip and the kindergarten children, and Edyta Wrońska with class four.
The third-grade students became acquainted with the fairy tale “The Box Girl,” about the most frightened girl in the world. After a fragment of the fairy tale was read, the heroine won the children’s sympathy. The theme of the workshop was overcoming fear. During the activities, the students created artwork about their fears. In this way, the children bonded and had great fun, while supporting one another and talking about how they themselves cope with childhood fears, such as bad dreams at night or fears caused by an overly vivid imagination. Thanks to the fairy tale about the frightened child, the youngsters found it easier and were more willing to share their experiences.
The first-graders and kindergarten children played at making dreams come true with the fairy tale “Garbuska” and the writer’s puppet, Krówka. The author introduced the children to the heroine of the book about Matylda, a hunchbacked girl who dreamed of being beautiful and loved by everyone. The children talked about tolerance and compassion for people who are different from them. During the meeting, the writer told the children how her books are created and what inspired her to write them. There was also no shortage of questions, which the author of Garbuska was very happy to answer. During the workshops, the children also had the opportunity to put on “magic shoes” and make their wishes. All the children supported their classmates so that their dreams would come true.
The fourth-grade students became acquainted with the fairy tale “Zaginieni rodzice.” The children discussed topics from the book with interest, including difference, tolerance and lack of acceptance. Each child was tasked with noticing the unique, one-of-a-kind qualities within themselves and describing themselves as a superhero who, thanks to their power, changes reality. The writer stimulated the creativity of the fourth-graders, who, thanks to the workshops, appreciated themselves and acknowledged that differences between people are necessary and that each of us, regardless of who we are, can do something valuable and good for others.
The Master’s Academy – Szkoła Mistrzów school in Lwówek was founded in 2014 by two teachers for whom working with children is a true passion. In their educational and teaching work, the educators focus on shaping a creative attitude, developing children’s imagination and their ability to express thoughts, experiences and desires. The overriding idea is to engage the child and teach them the most important skill: learning.
The school’s great asset is its bilingual profile. The children learn English here for eight hours a week. Master’s Academy is a small, intimate, safe and friendly school. Classes have no more than 16 students, allowing every child to be noticed and treated individually. The increased number of Polish-language and mathematics lessons enables the use of interesting teaching methods, while the rich range of extracurricular activities makes the children feel wonderful at school.
Grażyna Hanaf and the istotne.pl publishing house would like to thank the exceptional students of Master’s Academy – Szkoła Mistrzów in Lwówek for the wonderful and creative meetings.