Trumpet transformed

St Chad’s Primary School, 23 June 2015

Sheila Chapman writes:

                                        Photo: Kevin Hickson

This afternoon the children of St Chad's primary school made 'Something Else' of a battered old trumpet using the power of poetry. They used all their senses and their endless imagination to transform this 'useless' object. They imagined how the trumpet had come to be damaged, how it was saved, how it felt when it lost its music, what powers it had, and what it symbolised. They then shared their poetry at a special school assembly and every single one of them stood up to read their own original work - what courage and what talent! Read on to see what they thought of the experience and to see some snippets from their poems.

Poet James Nash used the same trumpet a few months ago at another primary school. Read our blog report at http://headingleylitfest.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/brudenell-poetry-assembly.html?

Some comments from the children - in response to four questions: What has been the best thing about this project? What have you learnt? Why is it good to share your work with other children in school? What will you remember about this project?

- The best thing has been sharing ideas with everyone. I have learnt how an object has different stories to tell. It is good to share work with other children because they get inspired. The thing I remember from this project is imagination

-  I have learnt how poems aren’t always need to have a rhythmic pattern.  It is good to share work with other children because they could give you tips.

- The best thing has been learning what a good poem is. I have learnt how to write a poem. It is good to share work with other children so you can practice taking in front of people. The thing I remember from this project is how good everyone was.

- The best thing has been writing poems on the trumpet. I have learnt how to shorten longer poems. It is good to share work with other children so you can hear the feedback and use it in another poem and they can use yours as inspiration.

- The best thing has been the creativity you can put in writing the poems. I have learnt you can be very creative with writing. It is good to share work to inspire other children. I will remember that writing can be creative.

- The best thing has been writing about the trumpet. I have learnt how to put more expression in my writing and how to improve my writing. It is good to share work with other children so then they can get ideas from our poems.  What I remember about this project is, in one word: EVERYTHING!!!

- The best thing has been writing poems and ideas about my poem and writing a poem about a item. I have learnt that it’s amazing writing poems. It is good to share work with other children so they can have an idea about their poem. I will remember that rhyming words make your poem sound good.

- The best thing has been writing up our poems. I have learnt that to write a poem you need your five senses when describing. It is good to share work with other children to inspire them and to improve your confidence. I will remember my poem.

Some lines from the poems

 My own tunes have tired me

My own power is my enemy

My music gave me power to control lives

My brass is my story

Trampled on by wet wellies

I used to be proud of my silver body

I can no longer hear the sound of my music

Music will never end

No-one plays with me anymore since I am battered and bruised

I am a symbol of peace, sign of hope

One single piece of everybody

Life had a purpose now I have none

Will I ever get found

I’ve lost my home

Fire damaged me, my owner made me whole

I slipped out of my soldier’s hand …. The fisherman saved my life

Children danced to the noise of the trumpet

I loved how I played

Sparkle and shine

As the days go by I sit waiting to die

You illuminate my mind

I am a symbol of peace

No-one wants me - every day it rains

I was greater once