Fly Eagle Fly

My year 3/4 class range from p7 to 4b. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Fly Eagle Fly for two weeks. There was much drama, discussions about reaching our full potential, moral dilemmas and mind blasting of ideas. The end of the unit enabled the children to successfully produce a superb piece fo writing entitled "Why I can fly". This provided an ideal opportunity for the writing to be APP'd with many producing writing that raised them a sub-level.
We are moving onto Varjak Paw this week and I have to say I am very excited about sharing a novel with the children and evoking emotions and opinions from it.
The only difficulty I have had with the sequences is creating differentiation. We as teachers are encouraged by our head to differentiate ALL of our lessons 3 ways and this isn't always possible with some of the activities.
Thanks for some superb ideas!!!
Rachel, Harcourt Primary

Wolf Brother

Dear Mystery Blogger,

I agree Wolf Brother is a fantastic book, powerful themes and an exciting adventure too. Did you know there was a Wolf Brother teaching sequence on the Power of Reading website? Judging by the links you've posted it looks like lots of other people have discovered Wolf Brother too!

Sue M, CLPE

Varjak Paw observation

Dear Sally,

It's great your class are enjoying Varjak and that you want to show off POR approaches to your visiting governors. How about switching the sessions round a bit? You could start with the drawing and annotation of Sally's gang and Holly and co from the next session, drawing together what they already know about the gangs and individual cats, then in pairs role playing interviews with one child in each pair as Sally or Holly and the other as a reporter. These could then be shared with the class at the end of the session - or you could have a whole class hot seating session. This could lead to the writing of an 'in-depth' report about life on the streets to go with the newspaper reports on the missing cats (which you could do in a later session) or could be the diary writing in mini books suggested in the sequence.

Hope it goes well! I'm sure it will.

Sue McGonigle, CLPE

Wolf Brother by Michelle Paver

The book has a main character which can be empathised with by Upper KS2 children. Some of the concepts will need explaining for children who are unfamiliar with pre history facts.

Best thing about the writing within this book is that it stands as a good model of decriptive and evokative language for L5 writers.

There also is a great deal of resources on the web to support this text. Here for example is a very good teaching plan:

pearsonschoolsandcolleges.co.uk/Secondary/Literature/14-16/NewLongmanLiterature14-18/Resources/Supportmaterial/WolfBrother.pdf

Observed lesson on Varjak Paw

Just been told today that TWO of our governors are coming in on Tuesday to watch me teaching 'Power of Reading Stuff''.

The children are loving Varjak Paw and we have done some great Varjak Diaries. I'm due to be doing the session on newspaper articles about The Vanishings, but I'm worried that this won't show off the fantastic POR techniques.

Any ideas? It's an hour long lesson for year 4 - ranges from P8 statemented child with TA up to 4B writers. Big EAL group too. I have a student in with me and an EAL support TA for this session.

All suggestions gratefully received!

Sally Goodman
Swaffield Primary Wandsworth

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

This was a really quick read. I enjoyed the boy's storyline - but wanted more detail. I can't remember the end - I thought it was disappointing. The one eyed wolf freaked me out! It hasn't left a lasting impression!

Wendy Livingstone - St. Mary's CE Primary - Putney

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I was quite disappointed by this book - I felt that it didn't really go anywhere and I struggle to recount what actually happened! I wouldn't recommend it. There were some intriguing storylines which were not developed - in that sense I suppose there was a 'readerly gap' for the children to respond to and perhaps fill - but I can think of other books I would use with the children before this one...

Cheryl Payne - St. Mary's CE Primary - Putney

The Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I agree with Emma, this book was unlike any I have read before. It took me a little while to get into the way Pennac switched between writing in the past and present tense, but once I was used to his style I really enjoyed the imagery he created! I especially liked the different worlds created through the boy's story. I also really liked the way the animals from all walks of life found themselves in exactly the same place at the end. A great ending.

Hannah, Crampton Primary School

Read aloud with Year 2!

Following on from a very successful Man on the Moon sequence of work; my class have thoroughly enjoyed listening to another book by Simon Bartram called Dougal the deep sea diver. After putting into the book corner they have often fought over who gets to read it!!!


Hightown Primary Year 2

Using Grace and Family with Year 1

Having started our topic on Africa, Grace has helped to provide the children with an incite into life in Africa. When reading the story Grace visits an African market, as a class we then researched this and created our own market. The children got into role and enjoyed the hands on experience of this which led to some creative diary entries.

Hightown Primary Year 1

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I really enjoyed reading this short story and the developing relationship between the wolf and the boy. Another emotional novel! I have also really enjoyed reading 'Wolf Brother' by Michelle Paver so much so that I went to the library to get the next 'Chronicles of Ancient Darkness' book! I am planning to use this with my Year 5/6 class next half term. If anyone has any successful stories of how this book developed in their class, I would love to hear them.

Mason Moor, Southampton

The Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

Having read all the eliquent comments, I feel rather intimidated to say something intelligent! I did enjoy reading the book - it was a very easy read. I too agree with most comments so far that it was the story of the wolf that intrigued most. I couldn't quite work out if the boy was a statue and this mystery kept me reading. Glad it all worked out in the end.
Jill Efford

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I appreciate the magic realism in this short, but powerful story. I read it at one go riding home on the bus after the P of R meeting and continued in front of the fire. I became caught up in the lives of the wolves and how Daniel Pennac plays with time and place. I agree with a previous blogger who found the human part less intriguing, but I think it revives when the boy and the wolf become entwined.
His writing created very strong visual images in my imagination and I found the introduction of the boy, standing and staring, standing and staring, over a mysterious amount of time and weather, captivating.
Gill Dove, Michael Faraday School, SE17

Eye of the wolf

I'm a bit of a sucker for this type of story (human and animal reach an understanding beyond words). I prefered the wolf's part of the story as the boy's was a bit fantastical.
I enjoyed the simple things - like choosing to keep one eye closed because things dont look too good.
Martin Bowes, Kender

Fly Eagle Fly

Year 4 at Kender have enjoyed acting out the farmers first journey. Also they used role play to explore dialogue (with some persuasion thrown in).

Eye of the wolf

This is a memorable story which was very thought provoking. The imagery and descriptive language used are very engaging. I would like to read another of Daniel Pennac's novels as I have never read a story like this before and found the development of the story fascinating.

Danielle

St Thomas Becket Primary School

Book Corner and Classwork

Our book corner is finally coming together! I wanted to get the feeling of escaping to somewhere nice so we have had a little help from one of the dads who made some wooden palm trees and screwed them to the bookshelves in the bookcorner! We now get to imagine being in a hot, tropical country whilst we're in our classroom and it's a nice place for the children to retreat to and read quietly. I also bought some colourful cushions and Ikea stools (which the Year 6 children LOVE!) and they helped to organise and label the books in the book corner. It is small but cosy!

The children are loving the book 'The Other Side of the Truth` and are really into the storyline. It is hard to try and find the time in the school day to get to read, but when we find it, we all appreciate a welcome break from the work routine and the children (even though in Year 6) sit on the carpet and are captivated by the events. We have had some great discussions after each chapter.

The children also enjoyed our work based on Way Home. They produced some great newspaper reports, poetry and role-play.
Lucy - St Thomas Becket School, South Norwood, London

Eye of the Wolf

We had heard lots about this book before, so we were eager to get stuck in and read it. Anne Forsythe had previously read an engaging section of the book to us at a staff meeting and we were not let down. It was full of beautiful descriptive language and created an intense atmosphere for the reader.
We both loved the book and would definitely consider reading another Daniel Pennac book. Subsequently our Year 6 are now using this engaging text in their Literacy sessions. Whilst Year 2 are enjoying Beegu and Year 4 have just finished Varjak Paw. Photo's soon to follow!!
Rebecca and Donna from St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School.

Eye of the Wolf

This book was an easy read however was unlike anything I have read before. The imagery is thought provoking and the description of nature is very thoughtful and reflective. I enjoyed the way the stories of each character unravelled and surprisingly came together at the end.

Emma

Lakenham Primary

Trying to plan in a power of reading way

I'm not currently doing a POR text as none of them fitted in with my unit, but I am trying to plan in a very POR way - so far so good!

At Swaythling Primary School, Year 5 have been reading Wolf Brother. We have enjoyed cross curricular activities including role play, dance, puppet making, art, story maps etc.. Outside of school, the children have started to read other books in the Chronicles of Darkness series, create models of the key characters and make their own cave drawings. This book has really captivated their imagination and they adore the cliff hangers at the end of each chapter.

Our book corner has been totally revamped after a trip to a well known furniture store! I can't keep the children out of the book corner at the moment. They all want to read or work in there! We also created a cave in the forest as a role play area. Great for drama! Here are some photos of our experiences!!

Claire Martin

Rita from St. Patricks Birstall Book discussion

Book discussion
Hi there thanks for another fab afternoon especially the exercise in on the field. Very good touch to keep us on our feet! HE HE!
First ‘The Garbage King’ I liked the how scared I felt as I read about how much that poor child went through. I kept thinking- When is it going to stop? This is what kept me reading as it was not the type of book that I do like to read and found it hard to get started.
I did not like when that little boy died and all those children were dealing with it on their own. I just so wanted for someone to help them and to ensure that all the children could find refuge.
Second ‘The Other Side Of Truth’ I haven’t quite finished this book yet but I found the beginning very dramatic and such a worry. I so wanted for the children to wake up and its all a dream. I feel that this is not going to happen now.
I am finding it hard to get into or connect with this story as I can’t believe that these children whose father is willing and so determined to die for the truth. Their mother who seems to have been so strong and supportive inside for her husbands work and beliefs. Then how can these allow themselves be pushed along these other paths without planning and plotting to get to their uncle not taking no for an answer. I was waiting for them to bolt or to stand their ground as this is their only way of getting to their father.
For me this title could have meant little white lies where you shade the truth to protect some ones feelings.
The connection between both books is the involvement of children, hardship and the their need for refuge and care.

Eye of the Wolf

Eye of the Wolf was very different to anything I had read before but was an easy read full of descriptive language, imagery and atmosphere. The stories within the story gradually unravelled to a happy yet unpredictable ending.
Lucy
St Thomas Becket Primary School

Book Corner - Tanners Brook Infants

My book corner has been transformed! The children enjoy it so much I am always asking them to come back to their tables. The children have an interactive display area in the book corner now and they feel more ownership of the area. They enjoy the books which have been carefully sorted to ensure a wide variety of interesting and thought provoking books. We have 'book of the week' where the book we have used in literacy is placed in a pouch so that the children can read it themselves. We also have a poster called 'which book is your favourite'. The children review the books and write the title of their favourites on our poster. This is an excellent way for me to find out what genre the class really enjoys!

Mrs Austin Yr1

Mrs Austin Yr1

Beegu arrives at Tanners Brook Infant School

The children in Yr1 loved Beegu! They could relate to his situation very well. They wanted to help him get back to his family and even created a rocket ship out of old boxes. During discussion the children were most surprised that no one would help Beegu and EVEN the teacher sent him away! We had a great time finger painting little Beegu all over their imaginative space setting pictures.

Mrs Austin Elephant Class

Varjak and Eye of the Wolf

It's great that your class loved Varjak - it was the most frequently mentioned book as making a difference to individual readers - by Year 3/4 teachers.

Just to say that the teachers' books are meant to be for you - the teachers! - to read and discuss. The teachers' books are not meant to be directly used with children - they are for your delight and to build experience of what children's literature can offer.

Some teachers have read and worked with the book in Y6 and I know some Y7 classes use it.

Olivia, CLPE

Varjak Paw comes to Brighton

My class of year 3, 4 children really loved that book - all of them were involved and keen to put their ideas into writing (which was far more lively and thoughtful than usual!). We read it over a three week period, and quite a few have now bought the sequel. I would never have chosen it myself, so many thanks for the introduction!!
I have mixed feelings about Eye of the Wolf. I feel that it could prove a rich source for philosophical discussion, an approach that my school is currently developing. I will be interested to see how accessible it will be for my year 3 children. Perhaps I am underestimating them!!

J Ironside

Robsack Wood School

We are thoughally enjoying the titles recommended by the Power of Reading Project!

We have read, 'Into the Forest' and created a display in our main entrance hall.

Children from years 1,2,3 and 4 visited the woods to retell the story.
Guess what they found?
We took loads of pictures and really enjoyed it!

Other texts we have read are Traction Man, Man on the Moon and Krindlekrax. We look forward to enjoying more!!! Thanks PORP!

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

An amazing tale of tales all interwoven to climax to a fantastic ending. It is an incredible story of a young storyteller who touches and changes the lives of so many animals and people despite the hardships he has faced.

Surjit, Uphall Primary School. Ilford.

St Mary's video

The puppet show video is fantastic - I'd like to put a link to it on the website - let me know if that's okay

olivia.laptop@clpe.co.uk

Olivia, CLPE

Glad you're enjoying The Eye of the Wolf

Really glad that some of you are enjoying The Eye of the Wolf and finding time to blog about it - maybe the snowy weather has given a bit more time!

I really love the way book spans so many different worlds and parts of the world - in such a short space - and so simply written.

Olivia, CLPEwwww

The Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

Found the story easy to read and liked the format. Thought the descriptive language was excellent and found the pictures on the front cover and throughout the story added to the overall interest of the text.

Fay Bailey Wansdyke School Bristol

Eye of the Wolf - Daniel Pennac

I found this book a very easy read. The beautiful use of language combined by the complex relationship between the boy and the wolf made it a compelling read.

The transformation of the circumstances for the wolf and its inevitable effects on its personality demonstrates how a story can take a reader along a difficult and challenging narrative, whilst maintaining the reader's desire to reach a conclusion.

N Green
Hastings, Brighton and Hove Group

Eye of the Wolf by Daniel Pennac

I have spent this morning reading the book 'Eye of the Wolf' and thoroughly enjoyed it!
It is a short book but is packed with rich descriptions and is thought-provoking, with issues which I could well imagine discussing and debating with the children. Indeed, the picture on the front cover (the transposed faces of Africa and the wolf) may be used to spark the children's imagination about the story and raise questions they would like to be answered by reading the text. I think I am tempted to describe the book as 'a story, within a story, woven into the narrative.'

Leila Harris
Central C Group

Puppet Show

After a two term project on 'Leaving Home', year 6 produced a puppet show. During the project we read: The Arrival by Shaun Tan, Coming to England by Floella Benjamin, Brothers in Hope by Mary William; The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo and several non fiction texts on issues of migration and immigration.
This puppet show was the culmination of our efforts and was performed to parents and the rest of the school. All the puppets were made by the children from reclaimed materials i.e. last years tomato canes, cereal boxes and old clothes.
Enjoy!
Owen Knowles
Year 6 teacher St Mary Redcliffe Primary School