Swindon pupils embrace literature in National Storytelling Week
9:00am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in Latest News
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Children from Croft Primary school dressed up as their favourite book characters, such as Winnie the Witch, as part of National Storytelling Week
CHILDREN in Swindon were yesterday celebrating the end of National Storytelling Week with a variety of events.
Pupils at Nova Hreod School were treated to special lesson from an award-winning author and illustrator.
Karin Littlewood, who won the 2012 Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, taught Years 7 and 8 pupils illustrating techniques to help them create their own story.
“I really want to inspire these children,” said Karin. “At this age children often feel that they don’t have the ability to illustrate and I want to show them that this is not true.” Taking inspiration from Karin’s latest book, The Seahorse, pupils developed a story through illustration.
“The children have to imagine the next part of my story. When they’re finished they will have a mini book that they can fit in their pocket. If they’re still feeling inspired they can add words as well.”
During the week the children, and teachers, have been taking part in Drop Everything and Read where they share and tell stories that have influenced them.
“As it’s National Storytelling Week we’ve used that to help build the children’s enthusiasm and get them excited so they can be the best people they can be,” said Ali Slaven, the school’s Learning Resource Centre manager.
“Opportunities to share, tell, read and create stories are an essential part of the journey that our students take to become successful and effective learners and readers.”
The children have also been encouraged to write a short story based on a single image. The best entries will be entered into the 500 Words competition being run by the Chris Evans Show on BBC Radio 2.
To further inspire pupils, Nova Hreod has put together a Reading Brick Wall where teachers can list the books they read when growing up.
Elsewhere, children from Croft Primary dressed up as their favourite book characters to mark National Storytelling Week yesterday.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Cinderella and Winnie the Witch were just some of the characters that pupils dressed up as, while teachers wore Where’s Wally outfits.
Parents came into school to share their favourite books with the children too.
Teacher in charge Candida Hutchinson said: “Events like this are exciting and engaging for the children.
“We like to do things with a bang so it excites the children, especially when it’s to do with reading and writing, which aren’t always children’s favourite things to do.
“We like to put the fun in and give a real focus for their learning. We do something like this every term.”
The children, who have been doing a topic on fairytales this week, have had visitors from across the town coming into school to share their favourite books with them.
