Twenty five years ago, the only bright sparks in a hellish teaching practice in a Catholic secondary school happened with a Year 7 class who struggled academically but made the best group poems when responding to Skellig by David Almond. They kept me going.
What a delight to work with children - I ran a childrens poetry competition in all the local schools here for years which was finally halted by the Pandemic - the work they produced was sometimes breathtaking - thanks for sharing these poems
Oh my goodness these poems are gorgeous. ‘Leths off the trease, squirrels’ makes my heart sing. Thank you for this wonderful post which makes me want to get off my crutches and back into my classroom. Spring.💚
Lucky children, yes Clare! It's where we try to get back to, especially as time starts its final lap. Back old, old age to glorious naivety (without dribbling!)
what a delight for all those children to have an opportunity that takes them away from school life and opens a door into imagination - and the handwritten poem - sums up how expression can be spelt however you want and can still be understood xx:)
This post is so uplifting to read. Thank you for sharing. In a previous leukaemia-free life I loved exploring poetry outside, not just with children but educators too. So often the teachers and assistants didn't see themselves as poets or have time to enjoy word play. Because I worked outside, using whatever space existed, the words brought that place to life. All the non-writers would relax when they were given A5 cardboard clip boards that they decorated and scraps of paper no bigger than A6 to write upon. For those who needed to write big poetry, we used chalk or magic whiteboard paper which was truly magical in that you can fold it up to fit in your pocket and it has enough static to be worn on calm days - every day this happened was always "National Wear A Poem" day. I hope the rest of your sessions go well. x
Ooh I could magpie some of those lines!
Aren't children brilliant.
Aren't brilliant teachers kids at heart!
Reading that lifted the spirit. Beautiful
The joys of doing poetry in school.
Twenty five years ago, the only bright sparks in a hellish teaching practice in a Catholic secondary school happened with a Year 7 class who struggled academically but made the best group poems when responding to Skellig by David Almond. They kept me going.
I absolutely LOVE that book!
Indeed. And years ago I had the pleasure of going on an Arvon course which he co-tutored. A great bloke IRL too
Fabulous 💚
Lucky classes to have had that experience with you, Clare. It was a lovely post to read this morning.
How utterly beautiful.
What a delight to work with children - I ran a childrens poetry competition in all the local schools here for years which was finally halted by the Pandemic - the work they produced was sometimes breathtaking - thanks for sharing these poems
Joyful post, thank you!
Oh my goodness these poems are gorgeous. ‘Leths off the trease, squirrels’ makes my heart sing. Thank you for this wonderful post which makes me want to get off my crutches and back into my classroom. Spring.💚
Thanks for this post, I bet those kids will remember you forever xx
Spring magic💚
Sounds like real-life magic. This poem at the end is stunning.
How lucky you are to do this wonderful work. If I had anything remotely resembling this at school perhaps I could have written a poem before I was 62!
Lucky children, yes Clare! It's where we try to get back to, especially as time starts its final lap. Back old, old age to glorious naivety (without dribbling!)
what a delight for all those children to have an opportunity that takes them away from school life and opens a door into imagination - and the handwritten poem - sums up how expression can be spelt however you want and can still be understood xx:)
This post is so uplifting to read. Thank you for sharing. In a previous leukaemia-free life I loved exploring poetry outside, not just with children but educators too. So often the teachers and assistants didn't see themselves as poets or have time to enjoy word play. Because I worked outside, using whatever space existed, the words brought that place to life. All the non-writers would relax when they were given A5 cardboard clip boards that they decorated and scraps of paper no bigger than A6 to write upon. For those who needed to write big poetry, we used chalk or magic whiteboard paper which was truly magical in that you can fold it up to fit in your pocket and it has enough static to be worn on calm days - every day this happened was always "National Wear A Poem" day. I hope the rest of your sessions go well. x