Lincoln and year 5 signing in Central A

Hi All
this is sarah from Lincoln, we were aiming to pilot this project with year 6 and year 1, instead it is now running with year3,5 and 6. We have 6 books on the go, as we are a two form entry. The children are 150% on board. In fact they are driving it. The creation of reading dens has become quite competitive , in fact all year groups are trying to out do each other..fairy lights, cushions, harem tents etc.
I was explaining to our year 5 about this Blog, so the year 5 have helped me write it. They have never written a blog either!
They love this book, as you can see below........
Clockwork by Philip Pullman

Year 5 : We read this book in 6 half lessons, just over a week.

Our favourite bits…….

Dion Says: I like the story as it’s about clockwork bodies, Burgomaster is my favourite because he can sometimes be funny.

Chloe says: In the end it says the heart that is given must also be kept, the author kept us guessing what would happen until the end.

Ethan says: There is detective work and mysteries, the clockwork element is great, however I DIDN’T LIKE WHEN Prince Florian was very ill,

Katie says: The ending when Gretl gave her heart away, but actually didn’t, as she had fallen in love with Prince Florian.

Ellie says: Prince Otto gave his heart to Prince Florian to save him, his father died for his son, so great was the fathers love.

Jamie:The boys liked the part where Karl got killed as he was a mean naughty character.

Our not so favourite bits…………..

Flynn: I dislike when Sir Iron soul killed Karl because it made me feel sick talking about the blood.

Ben: I disliked Karl because he was a mean horrible person, he talked about killing lots of people and he altered Prince Florian and disfigured him.

Jozeph: I dislike the part where Prince Florian falls in love with Gretl in the clocktower as I thought it was gross!!!! They didn’t kiss luckily!!!

Elisha: I dislike the ending as I thought it was sloppy and soppy.

Jamie: I dislike Gretl hugging Florian.

The most puzzling bits………..

Adam: There are cliffhangers, we were puzzled when Price Florian turned into a real boy.

Emily Rose: Dr Kalmenius can through the door and I thought it was going to be someone else…………………

Ellie: We didn’t know the phrase the heart that must be given must also be kept. This was explained at the ending.



One word to describe this book…………………..

Romantic, breathtaking, bloody, imaginative, awkward, descriptive, amazing, mystical, loving, magical, mystifying, creative,puzzling, worth reading, informative, weird, out of this world
These comments are from children, some of whom couldnt ghive me a favourite author 4 weeks ago!!!!
Delighted
photos to follow

Message from Central D

We've been learning about Bog Baby, the children have described how their bog baby might look and made bog babies and their imaginary worlds. Vicky, Snaresbrook Primary.

We have read the Magic Finger, children loved it did persuasive writing and we have had debates . Sabrina, Ark Bentworth

We did some interesting extra spin offs with Ice Palace and children loved the book. Simon Finn, Canterbury Road.

Message from Croydon Group

We looked at Odysseus; it linked with our topic on the Greeks, we have done lots of drama, writing in role. I am beggining to see all my children engaging in the reading, especially my less able readers, linked with the drama and Art, they are gaining in enthusiasm and wanting to know what happens next.

All Saints school - Betty Johnson

We had a staff meeting to report back on the launch conference, all of our staff had a chance to look at the books and website. I used Grace and Family in Year 2; it linked with the experience of one of the families in my class and the book really reflected the backgrounds of our children; it enabled us to get some fantastic writing. All the teachers are very enthusiastic about the teaching sequences and books.

Gilbert Scott Primary - Natalie Thorpe

I have started the Floodland teaching sequence with Year 5; it has been nice to take the text slowly and go back and revisit the text. We have tried drama and Art, the children like the pace and range of activities. We are trialling the sequences before rolling out to the rest of the staff. We have also selected 10 boys to take to a local bookshop to choose new books for the school.

Woodside Primary - Mike Robinson

Group C message

Readers Theatre rocks!!!! Haven't tried it before but will be using it next week in my classroom.
Jenny Brough Henry Fawcett School

message from group C

Fab books

Message From Central B

My class have been working with Fly Eagle Fly, we did a reading walk in the playground, read out aloud as the children followed doing the actions in the text, treading carefully down by the river, climbing up a mountainside, climbing through the tall grass, calling out for the calf, hearing the echo. It bought out all their feelings and expanded their thoughts on how the characters felt.

Cobourg School - Laurence

We dramatised the blinding of the cyclops in Odysseus - it really engaged the boys. We used pictures to dramatise the story in a circle and performed parts in the middle of the circle. They then completed storyboards of the writing. I felt really excited about it as the children were so excited, there were no groans, which made me feel happy!

Cobourg School - Anita

Message from Central A

The children are really engaged after only two lessons with The Princess and the White Bear King. I like the varied results each week in sharing assembly there is so much stuff to share. The Head is really behind the project. Erin and Bryoney, Wyborne School.

I was worried about lots of drama but we are into our first week with Ice Palace we have done lots of drama but we have also written a poem, instructions there are lots of writing opportunities. Liza, Holy Trinity.

I have an author of the month the children can take the books out, recommend books on post it notes, they love it and ask who our next author of month will be. Hayley, Cherry Orchard.

How are you getting on with the project so far?

Dear Power of Reading project teachers,

We hope you are enjoying being part of the project and look forward to seeing you all at your first inset session. We are looking forward to hearing about what you have been doing in your reading environments and  how you are getting on with using the teaching sequences.
CLPE team

Share the titles of books you think have worked well in your classroom

We've introduced some books to the Power of Reading lists as the result of course members' recommendations for example Ice Trap! Shackleton's Incredible Expedition (Meredith Hooper & M P Robertson). The teaching sequence has produced some fantastic work over the last year .
 

Welcome to the Power of Reading blog 2012-13

We hope that you'll use the blog to post your opinions about the books you're reading for the book group discussions and to share your views on how books and teaching sequences are working in your classroom.

The CLPE team