Here are my new Write 2Be Me postcard flyers. They highlight the different ways Write 2Be Me can be used in school and the results. Just look at those happy sunflower faces! There's also a quote from a student and teacher there too.

The artwork is by Jim Browne of Doodling Jim. He's an excellent illustrator and very versatile as you'll see by the range of work on his website at Doodlingjim.com.

Thanks to Colourfast Brighton for a good deal on printing!

Working with Fulham Palace

I'm looking forward to working with Fulham Palace and Eleanor Sier, the Education Officer there, to facilitate some poetry workshops for local schools leading up to Apple Day at Fulham Palace, on 13th October.

One of the aims is to use the trees and natural landscape of the gardens as inspiration for the poems (with links to the National Curriculum in English, Geography, History and addressing PHSE and SCMS requirements).

Another is to encourage more local children, families and schools into the grounds of the Palace to experience nature in action.

Situated in between Fulham Palace Road and the Thames next to Putney Bridge, the Palace provides 13 acres of respite from the busy-ness of urban life. The site dates from the 7th century when it was acquired for a Bishops Residence and remained as that until 1974 when Hammersmith Council opened it to the public.

Now restored after their post war decline, the gardens are tended and grown according to the seasons. They offer a reassuring sense of transformation and renewal each year, plus the opportunity to wander in cultivated and wild areas, which makes a change from concrete pavements on the edge of roads!

Organisations such as Outdoor Nation, the National Trust and Green Lions are concerned about the lack of opportunities for children to play outside and connect with nature. The grounds at Fulham Palace provide a beautiful experience and antidote to this for children who live nearby in the boroughs of Hammersmith and Fulham, Wandsworth, and Kensington and Chelsea.

http://www.projectwildthing.com/#network

 

The Walled Garden

"A Big Improvement" - feedback from Sir John Lillie School

This is the Year 2 teacher feedback after the recent Write To Be Me course at Sir John Lillie primary school. Children’s names have been substituted with their initial.

“Y has improved in the quantity of what she writes. She enjoys writing and really enjoyed the sessions. She has begun using a wider range of vocabulary.”

“F is showing a big improvement in confidence and output.”

“A big improvement in E’s punctuation. He has benefitted greatly.”

“B now writes much more.”

“K’s listening is improving and his output when writing. His confidence in writing is increasing with more independent working too.”

“M has more confidence in writing, with an increase in output. Better overall and more interesting.”

“O’s output has increased. Writing is more interesting with complex sentences.”

“L’s confidence has increased also output. Use of puncuation is improving. Her talking contribution is also increasing in groups and whole class.”

End of Term

Not far from the Thames, the Write To Be Me project has been visiting schools in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Working with small groups of up to 10 children over 12 weeks, the project uses a programme of writing activities, word games and drawing to encourage children to write and share their stories with each other.

Write To Be Me has received postive feedback from the children. The words they use to describe it are “Fun, Good, Brilliant, Thrilling, Helpful, Awesome”!

Teachers say they’ve noticed positive changes in children’s confidence and writing – they are writing more, enjoying it more and using more interesting words. They also reported improvements in the areas of listening, speaking and general happiness.

The Write To Be Me project will be returning to Sir John Lillie and New Kings primary schools in September.

Tortoise Goes To School

Fred the Tortoise was busy last week. He left his quiet home in Sussex and went to four Fulham Schools to inspire children with their writing.

 
Fred seemed to enjoy his visit, although he was a little shy at first.

The children described him and then they wrote about what he’d do if he could take off his shell. In this photo he looks as though he’s running but he’s actually moving in very slow motion!

Now Fred is back at home now and has resumed his quiet life.

Miles the Superdog visits Sir John Lillie

Miles in the city

Miles, the friendly lurcher, visited Sir John Lillie primary school, in Fulham last week, to help children in years 2, 4 and 6 with their writing. He was a perfect inspiration  – very placid and sociable, and only when he yawned and the children saw his teeth did they think him a little bit scary. 

One boy said, “Miles is just like me – he likes to sleep and eat and run.” 

Here’s the poem the children in year 2 made:

Miles

Has sharp teeth
Skinny legs and sharp claws
Superdog!

Miles’ teeth are strong and sharp
He’s superfast with a long tail
and sharp, sharp teeth

He’s cute and a little bit scary
He’s gentle and super and furry
Miles has big ears, sharp teeth

And fast legs,
 
He is a very friendly dog.

Miles in the country

Our Group Poem

Fulham Cross Girls' School, July 2012

A Peaceful Time in the Park

 

Birds tweeting
Twit twit twoo
Pigeons cooing
Coo-coo coo-coo
Calm
Feeling warm inside

I hang with my friends
Riding my bike
Playing football
I enjoy myself

Colourful picnic blankets
Spending time with my family
Safe

A pond full of fish
Sunshine
Peaceful

by Destiny, Farida, Mouna and Rhona

WordWell Workshops in the News!

This article appeared in the Hammersmith and Fulham Chronicle, July 2012