English/Storytelling
I still take commissions for poems and songs for specific occasions, serious or humorous. From 2019 I won The Oldie's poetry competition an embarrassing seventeen times. I also take commissions for hymns and prayers for specific church events, and have a prayer published in the 2020 Prayer Handbook.
Before retirement, my Exciting English course was one of the most frequently requested of my Inset days. I aimed to foster a love of words in children, so that they begin to delight in using them creatively. A wide range of alternative and imaginative approaches were offered to speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers were told to expect humour, surprises, and a huge number of ideas. I also offered storytelling sessions for KS1 and 2.
I worked with children on exploring words and using them creatively to address a variety of writing genres, and have always been particularly keen on using unusual starting points – drama and drawing, clay and coincidences, smells and sounds….
It was a wonderful day you provided....your suggestions stimulated a whole set of thoughts on how to go about the task of bringing literature alive for children.’
Teacher after attending Exciting English course
For my books and work packs covering literacy and creative writing see Publications.
Examples
UK, Dubai and India – ‘Exciting English’ Inset day
Throughout UK - creatively addressing different writing genres with children on themes of your choice
Cambs – Poetry/Shakespeare day, KS1 & 2
London – Extending Language through Drama
Essex – ‘Play with Words’ Inset for KS1 staff - speaking/listening/reading/writing
Before retirement, my Exciting English course was one of the most frequently requested of my Inset days. I aimed to foster a love of words in children, so that they begin to delight in using them creatively. A wide range of alternative and imaginative approaches were offered to speaking, listening, reading and writing. Teachers were told to expect humour, surprises, and a huge number of ideas. I also offered storytelling sessions for KS1 and 2.
I worked with children on exploring words and using them creatively to address a variety of writing genres, and have always been particularly keen on using unusual starting points – drama and drawing, clay and coincidences, smells and sounds….
It was a wonderful day you provided....your suggestions stimulated a whole set of thoughts on how to go about the task of bringing literature alive for children.’
Teacher after attending Exciting English course
For my books and work packs covering literacy and creative writing see Publications.
Examples
UK, Dubai and India – ‘Exciting English’ Inset day
Throughout UK - creatively addressing different writing genres with children on themes of your choice
Cambs – Poetry/Shakespeare day, KS1 & 2
London – Extending Language through Drama
Essex – ‘Play with Words’ Inset for KS1 staff - speaking/listening/reading/writing
