National Poetry Day
To celebrate National Poetry Day the whole school from Pre-Nursery to Year 8, as well as staff, have been invited to contribute towards a list poem by thinking of an imaginative use for a garden pea. Ideas were inspired by poet Kate Wakeling’s poem Paean (or Eleven Uses for a Garden Pea) from Cloud Soup by Kate Wakeling, illustrated by Elina Braslina, Otter-Barry Books.
Pupils and staff alike have had a lot of fun trying to think of something both creative and unique. Ideas have included the following…
An ant’s beanbag
A dragonfly’s brain
A grass roller
A pie ingredient
A crumpled lily pad
A tiny green planet from the lunch galaxy
A sprinkle for a giant
A hill for a nit
A newborn tennis ball
In addition, every idea has been written onto a coloured card and these will all be linked together and displayed all the way from Nursery via Pre-Prep to the Prep School. The idea being that every person will be ‘counted’. Watch this space!
The latest Literacy Trust research report explores children and young people’s engagement with poetry in all its forms, and the power poetry has to support their self-expression, creativity and empathy. Taken from a survey of almost 5,000 children and young people in England, it found that those who read, watch or listen to poetry identified the huge benefits for their wellbeing, confidence, aptitude for learning and empathy.
Catherine Duncumb
