I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St John’s and as it was a first-time visit it proved to be extra special.
The morning started with a writing workshop in Year 4. The pupils kicked off the session by discussing nasty characters in books they had read. They explained why the characters were nasty and how the author had made them that way. We then pulled apart an unpublished piece of text about a nasty kid called Bazza. The pupils then built up their own version of Bazza, taking some of my ideas and adding their own. To finish the session, I did some ‘freestyle storytelling’ before wishing the pupils well for their first drafts.
Next up was a storytelling session with Y2 – Y5. I put on the storytelling waistcoat to perform a couple of the Tales: one about cow pats and the other about a crime-fighting wig. The pupils reacted really well and I loved sharing the stories.
To finish the morning, I joined Year 5 for a writing session. The focus was creating a suspenseful story opener. We pulled apart a piece of text I’m working on for an Impossible Tale. The children focused on the ways I’d built the setting and cranked up the tension. They planned out their own opener and I have every confidence they’ll produce some storming pieces of writing.
I had a top time at St John’s and I hope the children did too!