Other Resources

The Scottish Friendly Michael Rosen Book Tour 

Teacher Resources

May 2008 Children's Laureate Michael Rosen will be touring Scotland as part of The Scottish Friendly Children's Book Tour.  Cathrin Howells of Creative Contexts education consultancy has compiled a fantastic set of teaching resources for the tour, providing great ideas for using poetry in the classroom and demonstrating the ways in which working creatively with poetry can bring the draft Literacy and English Experiences and Outcomes from Curriculum for Excellence to life.  To read the teaching resources click here

Advice on running a book group

Thanks to Joyce Barnes, Librarian, Grangemouth High School

1.Get them in!

  • This may sound obvious, but you need to have them in the library to start with!
  • Work on just a few keen readers to start with.
  • Ask each pupil to bring along a friend.

 

2. Advertise

  • Use posters and displays around the school, not just in the library.
  • Ask teachers to suggest pupils who might like to join.
  • Use library computer screensavers to advertise.

 

3. Actively Recruit

  • Aim to recruit some pupils with artistic flair and some computer whiz kids, not just readers. Boys in particular may join if they are allowed to draw or use computers.
  • Find someone who has a digital camera and name him or her publicity manager, photographing events.

 

4. Plan

  • You need to have a clear plan of action.
  • You need to be sure that the activity will fill the time allocated.
  • Pupils will expect you to tell them what they have to do at first.
  • Let them nominate 4 -6 as a committee to propose activities.
  • Listen to their suggestions!

 

5. What should you do?

  • Try to have a range of activities with a literary theme.
  • Not all members will want to read every time.
  • They can help select books for stock.
  • Have them mount book displays on a different theme every month.
  • Set up e-mail with another school.
  • Book an author, illustrator or storyteller.
  • Hold themed "literary lunches" once a month e.g. performance poetry picnic on National Poetry Day, Christmas party to talk about books for Christmas presents, Burns lunch with readings, Cookery demonstration and book display at Chinese New Year, Valentines party, World Book Day celebration, Easter/Spring egg hunt.
  • Arrange an outing to see a book-related film.

 

6. Give it time

  • Do not try to involve everyone at the start!
  • Aim for a list of 20 names; this will result in around 10-15 attendees each session.
  • Be prepared for dropouts in the first few weeks.

 

7. Formalise it

  • The library development plan should show clearly that the Book Group is important.
  • Make sure that management know what is happening and invite them to events.
  • Ensure that time and funding are built into the development plan.

 

8. Believe in it!

  • There will be times when it seems impossible.
  • Don't give up: It IS worth doing!
  • Be prepared to change plans if an idea doesn't work.
  • Seek support from colleagues.
  • Remember the success stories and don't dwell on the failed events.
  • Have fun!

 

Literature Alive!

Published to mark the Scottish Friendly Children's Laureate Tour of Scotland 2004, Literature Alive! is both a guidance and resource for making the most of a writer visit. Plus there's a wonderful story by Michael Mopurgo, first published for World Book Day 2004.

Contact Philipa.cochrane@scottishbooktrust.com to request a free copy.

 

Confident Creativity