Volcanoes erupt at Shire Oak Primary School in January

 Sally Bavage writes:

Can't resist writing of the flow of creativity and the explosion of ideas as Mr Martin's class 3 pupils tackled the idea of writing about volcanoes – as if they actually were one.  An unusual starting point devised by Headingley LitFest's commissioned local poet and author James Nash - and one which gave full vent to the children's imagination. 

 

The use of imagination and the sheer delight in using new and sophisticated vocabulary was extraordinary in a class of youngsters still only seven or eight. Tiny!  Ideas were contributed to group discussions, first drafts written and shared and further thoughts given to edited and shaped versions.  One girl's mum confessed that her daughter had really enjoyed the rehearsals too, enjoying a chance to perform her own words and hone her public-speaking skills. Parents from a near full-turnout agreed that their children had really loved and enjoyed the experience, were immersed in their poetry and had practised at home. “Brilliant!  Just brilliant!” said one mum.  “She has so much more confidence and her use of language has just soared.”

 

In the photo - Teaching assistant Sue Strange, poet James Nash, Headteacher Jane Astrid Devane, Lord Mayor Al Garthwaite

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James has such a rapport with these children: they respond with warmth, humour and hard graft.  He wrote his own poem to share with them and confessed to a full school assembly that he thought some of the children's work better than his own. He also coaxed a cripplingly shy youngster to read out his words, a real triumph and part of the value of this project according to teaching assistant Sue Strange. Writing your own poetry is often a gateway to extended writing with confidence, and reading it aloud to a large audience a bonus. Life skills without doubt.

Headteacher Jane Astrid Devane explained that the school uses this work as a stepping stone to introducing more poetry into the curriculum and that she had so valued incorporating this work for the past decade. The school and staff always show a strong commitment to this project, building on the new skills and approaches. 

I've been dormant for a thousand years

 

Buildings break and fall

 

Lava runs down my background

 

This coat of lava trickles down my tummy

 

I'm angry like a buffalo

 

I can feel the earth shaking

 

I erupt.  Bang!  Bang!  Bang!

 

I have a tummy ache and I'm going to vomit!

 

And what of the children? They had “loved thinking of novel ideas,” writing and shaping their work and making such different approaches to the idea. They'd also found out “poems don't have to rhyme, you can write a poem about anything” and you can write it in the first person. They'd found “reading their work out had helped with developing their ideas” and “poems were short stories.” Did I mention they were proud of their increased confidence!

 

Finally, a surprise for the whole audience was that the Lord Mayor of Leeds had come along!  Headingley and Hyde Park Councillor Al Garthwaite listened most carefully to the youngsters, addressed the young audience afterwards and spoke to each class 3 poet individually as she read their work.  A real seal of approval from the local councillors who have always supported our work.

 

 

Thanks are gratefully given to the local Inner North West Area Management Committee who supported the project.