Sally Bavage writes:
As Headingley LitFest's commissioned poet for this project noted in his introduction to the work of Ms Baruah's Year 3 class, “We've had quite a lot of it recently!” Indeed, following ten named storms this winter – it's not even the end of January yet on an unseasonably mild day – the whole school assembled to hear the original poems that the seven- to eight-year-olds had created. A good number of parents were there too, as well as special guest the Lord Mayor of Leeds. Quite an occasion if you are only small. And shy. And nervous.
Acting headteacher Amy Houldsworth introduced James Nash, local poet and writer, and old friend of the school who is now greeted by the pupils with a single name of Jamesnash, as if it was his celebrity name. She explained that the topic was chosen long ago. Nevertheless lots of the work focussed on the recent wild winds, the strength and power of them, the anxiety and damage they cause. Apart from the tornadoes and hurricanes we had tsunamis and sand storms, ice blankets and tempests, creating disaster and destruction, demonstrating strength and the power to hurt.
The project begins by gathering ideas during a sharing session before the drafting where the youngsters take the standpoint of being the wild weather personified. James also writes a bespoke poem after that session to read out and model the collaborative nature of the work. Redrafting and further writing goes on before the pupils rehearse their work in preparation for the school assembly.
Yes, a few sheets of paper were shaking like leaves in the winds of which they wrote, but others declaimed with brio and panache. The creativity, sensitivity and wide range of ideas generated by this work was just wonderful. As Tracey Baruah, class 3 teacher, commented “Even children that find writing difficult have their ideas accepted and find the confidence to read out their work. They use vocabulary that surprises and amazes me. They find their voices.”
Teacher Jo Ward, now working with class 6, worked on this project four years ago when they were class 2 – positively tiny and barely at the beginning of their creative writing. She recalled one young boy who had only recently walked right across Europe as a refugee, spoke barely any English but had been so proud to read out his work. He still remembered the occasion with great pride, and Jo commented that her class four years later still talked of their work and spoke to her of being poets now.
And what did Ms Baruah's class 3 speak of this time? “Working with a 'real' poet was such fun”, they had learned “How to write a better poem” by reworking it from first ideas shared together, they had “Really enjoyed sharing their work in class,” and of course, “We feel much more confident!” Oh, and from this creative approach that they “Had really learnt a lot about the weather.” Knowledge which is certainly going to stand them in good stead in their futures!
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, listened attentively to their work, praised them for their imagination and courage and was so pleased, as a former school governor, to be back. She noted how well the whole school had listened, how hard the teachers worked and how Spring Bank was a real family school. Praise indeed. She spent time with each child afterwards and presented them with an individual Leeds City Owl pin to commemorate the occasion.
Summing up the morning, acting headteacher Amy Houldsworth was absolutely clear that the project was often the start of real self-belief, had value that was priceless for some strugglers and was a milestone in making writing come alive.
Once again we are very grateful for the support shown Headingley LitFest by the Inner North West Area Management Committee of Leeds City Council
No comments:
Post a Comment