I went to Drama summer school at 9:30am and we started the work and drama at 10. The first thing we did was, we played this ame where you hold hands in a big circle, then you have someone start by squeezing one of the hands they are holding then you go round the circle (as fast as you can) squeezing hands (if that makes sense!?). Then we got put into groups of three's and we had to do a twist of our own on the story 'The Girl Who Tells Lies'. I got put in a group with Ellie and Flo. We made the story, there is a girl who tells lots of lies and one day she goes to her room and there are witches waiting for her, they then throw her in the cauldron. Then we had a ten minute break to have a snack and drink. 

After the break we had drama with Mr C. We got to choose which play we did and we chose Snow White. But we added a twist to it. You will have to wait till Friday to hear about it properly. The only thing i'm going to say is I ahve to be a PERVY DWARF, I didn't choose it. 

Then we had lunch and after lunch we had another drama session, where we had to pick one of Beatrix Potter's tales to dramatise. The group I was in chose The Tale of Tom Kitten. I am Toms sister Moppet. 

Thank you so much for reading!!!! xx

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Well this post was meant for yesterday, but I was at the screening of Turbulence. 

THE BLOG CHALLENGE: My mum told me that because I haven't posted in AGES, that I had to do 1 post everyday till the end of the summer holidays and she would give me £250!!!!!!! :P

Day 1

I woke up on Monday 25th July at 08:30 so I could go to the drama, speaking and dance summer school they are putting on at my school this week and last for years 7, 8 and 9. I got there and it started at 10am, and for the first hour everyone got to know each other by doing this exercise were we had to think of an illiteration for your name that best describes you. We then went to dance then drama after lunch. In drama we found out that we had to do one of the tales written by Beatrix Potter, and the group that I was in chose 'The Tale Of Tom Kitten' and I was Tom's sister Moppet. And also we did Snow White, and in that I am Happy the dwarf. Our dance is a dance to Jessie J's Nobody's Perfect. 

Day 2

Today was the day for fun, we learnt our dance and we tried to perfect it and edit it for Friday, we figured out what plays we were going to do and how we were going to do them, we also learnt about Method Acting, were you have to stay in character throughout-even if someone interupts you, you still have to stay in character. We did lots of breathing exercises and learnt that there are 4 ways of breathing. We decided how we were going to do both our plays and are just making it better and we are sorting out costumes.  

Well, I hope you like my first/second post, of this challenge. BYE BYE xx :D

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Arts Award

Part D

My Review

I think my part d of showing the class how to play Martha was very good. I thought they listened to me very well and that I took control. I thought that I should have explained it a little bit better but overall they got the drift of the game.

The things I think I could have improved were: I should have got more people to demonstrate just to make sure everyone understood it well enough, that I should have been more clearer and louder and that I should have raised the competition and bring in a prize for the fastest team.

Overall I think I handled the situation well and I took control, but I could not have done it without the calm, very good listeners in the class.

By Gaby Higginbottom. 

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Arts Award

Part C

My hero is Gene Kelly.

He is my hero because he is the person I look up to. I think he inspires me because he was such a good singer, dancer and actor. His lead role in Singing In The Rain was perfect for him because he had the right amount of stamina and energy to play Don Lockwood.

Early Life

He was born Eugene Curran Kelly on August 23^rd 1912 – February 2^{nd 1996} in the Highland Park area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the third son of James Kelly, a phonograph salesman, and Harriet Curran, who were both children of Irish Roman Catholic immigrants.

At the age of eight, he was enrolled in dance classes by his mother, along with his older brother James. Gene said “We didn't like it much and were continually involved in fistfights with the local boys who called us sissies...I didn't dance again until I was fifteen, by then I thought it would be a good way to get the girls.”

He attended St. Raphael Elementary School. He graduated from Peabody High School in 1929 at the age of sixteen. He enrolled in Pennsylvania State College to study journalism but the economic crash obliged him to seek employment to help with the family's finances. At this time, he worked hard on making dance routines with his younger brother Fred in order to earn the prize money in local contests, they also performed them in local nightclubs.

In 1931 he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh (UoP) to study economics. While at UoP, Gene became involved in the university's Cap and Gown Club, which staged original, comedic musical productions. Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with his graduation from UoP in 1933, he still remained an active member of the Cap and Gown Club, serving as its director from 1934 through to 1938.

The Kelly family started a dance studio on Munhall Road in 1930. However in 1932, the dance studio was renamed The Gene Kelly Studio of Dance.

In 1935 he enrolled to the University of Pittsburgh Law School. After two months he dropped out of Law School and decided to pursue his career as a dance teacher and full time entertainer.

In 1937, having successfully managed and developed the family's dance business, he moved to New York in search of work as a full time choreographer.

Career

He achieved his breakthrough as a dancer when he signed his contract with MGM studios. When MGM loaned him out to Columbia in 1944 to work with Rita Hayworth in Cover Girl he ahd his big breakthrough on film.

He starred in 26 films, such as:

Singin' In The Rain – Don Lockwood

The Pirate – Serafin

On The Town – Gabey etc. In all of the films he was in he choreographed his own dance routines and often the routines of others.

He also starred in 9 stage shows, such as:

Leave It To Me – Secretary to Mr. Goodhue

Pal Joey – Joey Evans

Time Of Your Life – Harry.

Kelly enlisted himself in the U.S. Naval Air Service at the end of 1944 and he was commissioned as Lieutenant Junior Grade. He was stationed in the Photographic Section, Washington D.C. Where he was involved in writing and directing a range of documentaries, then came his interest in the “Behind the Camera” side of film-making.

By Gaby Higginbottom. Sources: Wikipedia, IMDB, Answers and www.genekellyscene.com. 

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Arts Award

Part B

Discussion

John: What show did you go and watch?

Gaby: I went to see Sister Act.

John: Was it good?

Gaby: Yes, it was my favourite show I have seen.

John: What did you like about it?

Gaby: I liked the cast, the choreography and the stage.

John: Who was your favourite character and who was it played by?

Gaby: My favourite character was Deloris who was played by Patina Miller.

John: Why was she your favourite character?

Gaby: She was my favourite character because Patina was a very good actress and a excellent singer.

John: What was your favourite song?

Gaby: My favourite song was Raise your voice sung by Deloris, Mary Patrick, Mary Lazarus, Mary Roberts and The Nuns.

John: How long was the performance?

Gaby: It lasted 2 hours and 30 minutes.

John: Would you recommend it to me?

Gaby: Yes I would, because it is your cup of tea.

Gaby: Thank you.

John: Thank you.

By Gaby Higginbottom.

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Arts Award

Part D

Me: Today we are going to be doing a warming up exercise. It is an exercise that gets you thinking fast on your feet and making quick decisions. This exercise is to form a picture with all the members of your group within 2/2.5 minutes.

Me: Ok. Get yourselves into 2 groups of at least 10 people. Now the way you play the exercise/game is:

1. Select the starter (first player).

2. That person then runs into the space and forms her body into any statue she can think of and tells the class what she is. eg. “I'm a Tree.”

3. Within 10 seconds another person from the same group runs in and forms a different statue in the space, and says what they are. eg. “I'm a Bench under the Tree”

4. This then keeps on happening until everyone in the group is in the 'Picture'.

Me: Remember I will be timing how long each picture takes, the winner is the group that completes their picture the fastest.

Me: Any questions?

(Answer any of their Questions)

Me: Ok which group wants to go first?

(First group do their picture.)

(Write down time)

(Second group do theirs)

Me: The winner is ….

(If there is time do a moving picture)

By Gaby Higginbottom

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Arts Award

Part B

On Wednesday 21^st July 2010, I went to see 'Sister Act' at the London Palladium with my Nan. We saw it at three even though we were meant to see it at seven thirty.

I thought it was very exciting and it was definitely better than either of the movies. Even though I would have loved to see it with Whoopi Goldberg or Sheila Hancock, I still really liked it and all of the actors.

My favourite character was Deloris played by Patina Miller. This is because I think she played the part very well and she was a good singer.

I chose this show as my Part B because in my opinion it is one of the best shows I have seen so far. It was entertaining because it was really gripping and had a good variety of songs and dances.

The good things about this show were: the storyline was unusual because it was an exaggerated set of circumstances, the singers were very good and the way the stage was set was complimentary to the show.

The evidence I have of going to see this show is, I have a programme to remind me of the performance.

By Gabriella Higginbottom.

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We have to wake up early as we are catching a train to LONDON!!!!!!!!

We have to catch the 8.21 train. When we get on it's not very busy. We have to get off the train at London Victoria! We then walk past Big Ben and Westminster. We gat to the London eye at about 10 just after it starts moving. We get the tickets and before we get on we watch a 4d movie all about the London Eye. Then we start queing we only have to wait 10mins till we get on. It was amazing you can see all over. After that we went to the Aquarium and we spent at least an hour in there as it was so facsinating! After taking a bus to Trafalgar Square then we walk to St. James' Park, eat lunch and then we go and see Buckingham Palace and Clarence House!! Well I am already so exhausted but we we get a bus to Baker Street to go to Madame Tussauds. We had bought the tickets at the aquarium as a combo ticketn so we didnt have to wait that long!! It was way too crowded but oh well life is full of difficulties. We where so scared when we both went in The Chamber Of Horrors and Scream! End up in Covent Garden and see a street entainer do loads of tricks on a tightrope. At 5 we went to Cafe Rouge to have Mussel for dinner. It was amazing. Then we catch the 7:05 train home.

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Hello,

People of my blog. I am so sorry that I did not blog this weekend. The reason was Saturday I just wanted to chill but yesterday I was in LONDON!!!! So, this blog is going to make up for yesterday and Saturday! This is going to be the longest blog in the world and guess what! I am doing it all for you (how generous).

Love Gabs xo

Saturday 17th July

Today I woke up at 8.15ish. Nanny goes to her hair appointment at 9. Then after an hour me and Granddad go to meet her in town. We walked around the market looking at all the lushious fruit and veg, and all the antiques. Then we went in this sweet shop called SweetScene. It was amazing! Nanny and Granddad both got ginger ice-creams while I bought some sweets for Sunday.After that we went in this shop called Macknades where they do nearly everything. We went in there to get parmesan but came out with much more. well at the end of that outing i came back with sweets and a Mary Poppins dvd. At aboutn 6 me and Nan played 3 games of Rummy Club (I won 2 out of 3 games! Yay!).I then start to help Grandad make Chicken Schnitzel for dinner.

Later..

It is now 7 and we have just eaten the schnitzel it was amazing!!!

To Be Continued.....................................................................

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See the full gallery on Posterous

I woke up at 10!!

I slept like a log!

I got up and had some Weetabix Minis for brekkie.

Then we set out for Deal Castle. I was the only one who saw the car park!! (as always).

Grandad did not walk around the castle as his knee is really bad!!

It was amazing. Our feet got soaked as we walked through the dungeons.

Then we went to Walmer Castle and Gardens.

We walked around the beautiful house and saw loads of Wellington Momentos.Then we walked through the gardens and saw all the lovely flowers!

At lunchtime I got a tuna sandwich and a packet of crisps and a coke. After that we went to a PYO (pick your own) and we got millions of strawberries and rasberries for only £5.39.

We got home by 16:30 & I made dinner with grandad.

A Venison Stew..

It was amazing!!!

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Hi!

I found these photos on my dads pogoplug and they brought back a lot of memories.

A lot of them are of my family and the Stancombes in Jard. But the rest of them where of my first days of home schooling and of my best freinds and me.

I hope you like them.

Gab xx

Photos

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Yesterday my family, Tom, Annie, over 10,000 crazy spectators and I all went to just on the border of Gloucester to view the annual spectacle that is Cheese rolling. We left home at 11:00am, popped round to Tom's house to drop off some camera equipment. From Tom's house we headed towards Gloucester for what would have been about an hours trip, but unfortunately there was an unbelievable amount of traffic due to the sudden rush of people heading to this traditional event. We sat in the jam watching some funny people go by, as we sat there in the car eating party rings and chilli heatwave doritos, like a group of four “twenty somethings” in a tiny classic mini cooper with a broken front door that kept swinging open and a guy with dreadlocks so long that they went all the way down under his hoodie to the midle of his upper leg =0.

We eventually managed to ditch the car just off the motorway on the side of the road, which we later found out was just over three miles away from Cooper's Hill!! When we got there we where just in time as a race was just about to start. Which was lucky as a crazed man attempted to run down the hill in a Borat mankini. After this race we tried our hardest to locate Rebecca and Lew who were supposed to meet us there. We found out later that their phones had run out of battery as they were taking too many photos of the cheese rolling, so we couldnt find them in the end!: ] click here to visit the official cheese rolling site click here to see the highlights of the event After the last race we headed towards the cars (another 3 miles, phew!) and we went into Cheltenham to have some food at the Rising Sun Pub. It had fantastic views over Gloucestershire. We could see all the way to Wales! Then we headed towards the Spotted Dog in Digbeth (Birmingham) for the Rhubarb Radio meeting. Whilst the grownups had their meeting James and I played blackjack and rummy and the nice lady behind the bar kept topping up our drinks and even gave us some chocolates. = ]! = 0! Towards the middle of the meeting a variety of aged people turned up for their weekly rehearsal of Irish folk music, this provided a different musical atmosphere to the meeting (but it was hard to talk over)! Mum did an audioboo for you to listen to.

When the meeting was over and nearly everyone had left we went outside into the beer garden. Danny (@probablydrunk) and me where pretending to have a fight but he was telling me what to do with my fists to protect myself! While he was helping me protect my face he should have been protecting his belly, because I sucker punched him!!! Then my family (@dahiggs), Michael (@citizensheep) and Shona (@graphiquillan) all went back inside to chat about WxWM and Moseley Barcamp. While Mum (@gabysslave) was talking politics with Michael I was talking to Shona about my ideas for the kids activities at Moseley Barcamp. “The children's committee” will be meeting some time this week to share and produce the ideas.

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Today my mum , dad , brother and I went to The Bullring in Brum (Birmingham). We had to get up at 3 am to get ready because we live so far away , in Bromsgrove! Brrr! It was so cold and because I am too short, I have to use a booster seat and it's plastic so imagine how cold it got. When we got there we were met by about 30 or so people. We met at the Bull! It was interesting to see the variation of ages , there were even some other children there. Then we walked down to Birmingham New Street, where we met Karen Strunks who organised the 4am Project. We had terrific access to the station so we took a variety of photos in and around it. Then we headed to wholesale market were they sell the Fruit and Veg to supermarkets and restaurants. We smelt some different smells today the veg smelt pungent and strong but the fruit smelt fragrant like the flowers. After that we went to the cafe where the market workers have their meals. I had a Hot Chocolate and helped my dad finish his brekkie. I had a fab time and found out what 4am is like . I hope you like the pics. They are in my mums Flickr: http://twurl.nl/8isqok Signing off for the day. Gaby x

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