CHILDREN'S LAUREATE WALES SCHOOL VISIT

A poetry workshop is an exciting and inspiring way to engage children with the wonderful language of poetry and all of its many benefits.

In the Classroom or Assembly hall, Alex will perform a selection of his poems whilst interacting with the children, asking them questions and getting them involved. After performing his poems the workshop will commence. From the zipping kingfisher to a wickedly mischievous hedgehog named Hector. 

"Poetry connects and transports us. When I read poems, I am sharing the experience of the poem. Whatever that might be."

• Themes/prompts - Alex always encourages the Children to create their own poem with exercises and ideas to get the brain ticking. 

Below is one of many ideas to inspire poetry through a writing prompt.

At the Magic Hour 

                                   I have a super power.......

These two lines are written on the board and they become the beginning of the poem, after this the class will consider Super Powers...

Invisibility, walk through walls, fly, teleport, super strength, laser eyes, stretchy, fire body, mind reader.

But what do we do with our Super power if we only have it for one hour ' The Magic hour'?

Do I need to keep it a secret? 

Where does the temporary power come from? 

Must I use it for good?  

Whilst the Children are writing, Alex encourages the children to use figurative language and give examples of how this can enrich their writing. 

Simile, Metaphor, Idiom, Personification, Onomatopoeia, Hyperbole 

This is always super fun and Some Marvellous Super Power Poems are created as a result.

Alex can tailor workshops to meet the requirements of the teacher, relating to Term Topics, Nature, Environment, Inclusion, Space, Identity...

At the end of each session the children are welcome to perform their poems to the class. This is great for confidence, self expression and language skills. 

The children are advised to edit their poems and complete a second and third draft where necessary - in turn, they learn to understand the editing process and that almost everything they read has been carefully altered and enhanced to completion. 

They can then add illustrations to bring the writing to life if they like.