Brand New Writing Workshop
I've been working on a new workshop for engaging reluctant writers and extending greater depth writers and wanted to share some images. Those who recognise the pictures will have some idea about how the workshop might work, but for those who don't, I'll give you a clue:
Children in the workshop will step onto a miniature battlefield and take control of a small army. After each turn, they will describe the narrative as it unfolds in front of them, from their own army's point of view.
Each game will involve different twists and turns and so each narrative will be unique. Using a school adult to scribe their ideas, the children will be full immersed in talking their writing and exploring the miniature world around them.
There are several key benefits to this particular workshop:
- It's game-based.
- The children won't be doing the writing - they will be talking all of their ideas. This is great for children who struggle with the physical act of writing or who struggle to commit ideas to paper.
- They will end up with a detailed and immersive dual narrative by the end of the session.
As soon as things start to calm down and it is safe again to head into schools, I'll be releasing more information and looking for some schools to trial the new session, so keep your eyes peeled for that email.
If you are looking to book a virtual session, I'm taking bookings now for the summer term. Get in touch, and see how I can help.
Don't forget to have a look at what I think are excellent creative writing resources and my writing skills assembly videos.
Virtual Author Visits
We are living in strange times for education, right now. None of us knows what capacity schools will be able to open in September, or whether they will be allowing external visits. To try to move with the times, and to continue offering what I believe to be a valuable and exciting education opportunity, I am booking virtual author visits for the new term. If this is something that you think your school would like to know more about, check out my dedicated page and get in touch.
Author Visit - Stimpson Avenue Academy
In these uncertain times, it was great to still be able to work with some amazing writers today. More able writers from four different schools gathered together at Stimpson Avenue Academy and we had a great day writing our own "choose-your-own-adventure" stories.
I love many things about running workshops on this theme, not least the way it encourages children to think hard about story structure and how to develop characters through their decisions, but I particularly enjoy looking at the visual "shape" of each story. They are all so unique and varied in their form and I think it's really important for children to see this to see how the ebb and flow of a narrative can impact a reader.
All of the ideas were brilliant and the children were so enthusiastic and engaged with the process. Thanks to you all!
I'd also like to thank Mrs Higgs for organising the day and for the staff who supported me throughout.
Would your children benefit from an author-led writing workshop?
Would your staff enjoy CPD on delivering and creating their own creative content?
Get in touch via my school page.
Author Visit - All Saints, Lessingham
I can't think of many better ways to spend World Book Day than in the company of wonderful children and their enthusiastic teachers. I was lucky to spend it this year at All Saints in Lessingham, working with children from Year 3 to Year 11.
We had some lovely conversations on the writing process, their love of reading, or even the barriers they find when they try to read and what has turned them off it in the past. We played through the Monstacademy book, The Magic Knight, and I ran quick workshops on how to create believable characters from the world around us.
I had a lovely day, thank you. And a big thank you to Mrs Martin for organising it and for everybody else for making me feel welcome.
Would your children benefit from an author-led writing workshop?
Would your staff enjoy CPD on delivering and creating their own creative content?
Get in touch via my school page.
Author Visit - Martinshaw Primary School
What a brilliant day today! I got to work with some amazing children from Martinshaw Primary School from EYFS up to Year 6. We investigated how a "choose-your-own-adventure" style story can help us think about the plot and the decisions we make as an author. Over the day, we wrote a collaborative CYOA story with the children guiding us all the way. We ended up with a brilliant story about a pirate dragon who went on a fruitless treasure hunt. You can play through the story below.
Thanks to all of the children and Mr Green for organising the day.
"The children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions which were fun, creative and engaging. The assemblies were a great way to raise the profile of reading and boost reading enjoyment. An excellent day which was very fun and enjoyable. The pupils really enjoyed the workshops as they were a really creative way for them to write their own stories and work as a team."
If you'd like to play the amazing CYOA that the children of Martinshaw created, have a go below. I've added some words around the ideas, but the structure, decisions and imaginative ideas were entirely the work of the awesome children.
Would your children benefit from an author-led writing workshop?
Would your staff enjoy CPD on delivering and creating their own creative content?
Get in touch via my school page.
Author visit - Birchwood Grove Primary School
On Thursday, I spent a brilliant day at Birchwood Grove Primary School in Burgess Hill. I had the fortune of working with all of the children from Year 1 through to Year 6 and they are definitely awash with brilliant ideas and enthusiasm for reading and writing.
Thank you to everyone there for making me feel welcome, and especially to Mrs Batchelor whose organisation made the day such a success!
Update: I've just received a brilliant poem from a Year 1 child inspired by the visit. I absolutely love getting this kind of thing, it makes the whole thing so worthwhile. Thank you to the amazing child who wrote it!
-
Children enjoying Matt Beighton's poetry workshop -
Key Stage 2 Creative Writing workshop -
Key Stage 2 Creative Writing workshop -
A brilliant poem from a Year 1 child inspired by the poetry workshop
Would your children benefit from an author-led writing workshop?
Would your staff enjoy CPD on delivering and creating their own creative content?
Get in touch via my school page.