Affirmative! PALS posters have landed!

This week, Jaguar class sent Jennifer their brilliant PALS posters. Just have a look at these! Apparently, the class did some meditation before they got started, to get into the right head space.

They were definitely up to the challenge. Their affirmations were great:  “I ooze peace and positivity”; “I am kind”,  and “I believe in world peace”. Here are a few examples of some of their wonderful art works.

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Jennifer sent them this special letter to congratulate them for their work.

 

Here are some of Jaguar class’ favourite books:

Have you tried reading any of these authors? Do you have any other favourites to add to this list?

Team AAA xx

WANTED!

So! How did Year Six get on with Lorraine’s last task?!

First of all, they had to think up a ‘Quest Item’, and choose a secret location for it on their maps. Next, they were asked to create either a ‘Wanted Poster’  or newspaper article, choosing to write it from the point of view of their protagonists or villains. All the work was absolutely brilliant! We particularly loved these two:

 

“Bring the necklace or ELSE!” gave us a little hint who was writing the first of these posters; we don’t think it was the hero of the tale! We also love the idea of this ‘wicked banana’.

Can you guess which of these other examples are written by heroes, and which by villains?

 

 

Lorraine was chuffed with their work. She wrote back with this special letter, full of feedback for the class:

 

 

She also sent word of their next challenge. They’ve already created so much material about their fantasy worlds…and Lorraine thinks that they’re ready for the next step!

We can’t wait, either! Good luck, Year Six.

Team AAA xx

Pigs in Plays…and Plasticine!

Gecko class had an INCREDIBLY creative week! Last week, Alex set them the task of developing some script for Pigsticks and Harold. They enjoyed it so much, that they even took it a step further and set themselves an extra challenge! Here is their letter to Alex:

 

We were absolutely stunned by their plasticine creations!

Does this make you want to have a go at making 3D versions of the characters? Perhaps you could even make a short animation by taking photographs of the plasticine models and using Gecko class’ wonderful scripts!

We’re so looking forward to reading Alex’s reply; we’re sure he’s going to be as blown away as we were.

Team AAA x

Reasons for Reading…

At the end of her last letter, Patrice tasked 9EF with thinking about their reasons for reading. What would make them choose a book from the shelves? 9EF sent this letter back the very next day:

Its clear from their letter that 9EF have lots of different reasons for reading, and very different tastes. Between them, they would run the full gamut of any library! Patrice wrote this in reply:

Patrice is clearly a big reader too!

If you would like to read the Lord of the Rings article Patrice mentioned, please click here.

Are there any books that you think could be adapted into a brilliant film? Or any that you think would be terrible?!

Team AAA x

Inspirations, Ideas & Authenticity!

Letter-writing continues between Year Nine at Cardinal Newman, and their adopted author Patrice Lawrence. Patrice’s book “Orange Boy” is keeping the class busy! Its interesting to hear which bits of the novel seem to fire up the most heated discussion, as the weeks go by:

Patrice wrote back with this missive:

There was so much in Patrice’s letter! It was interesting to hear that she builds greater authenticity for her characters by reading non-fiction, and that the idea for Marlon having drugs planted on him came from talking to friends who work in different professions.

We’re looking forward to next week already….where we hope to be finding out all about 9EF’s reasons for reading! Characters? Plots? Genre? What is the first thing about a book that grabs their attention and makes them want to keep turning pages?

Team AAA xx

 

Questions Answered!

This week, Jennifer sent Jaguar class a lovely long letter, answering all of their questions from their last message!

QUESTION ONE: How did you come up with this brilliant idea for the story?

QUESTION TWO: Who inspired you to become an author?

QUESTION THREE: What was your first book? How many have you written?

QUESTION FOUR: Why did you become an author?

QUESTION FIVE: Who is your favourite author?

QUESTION SIX: What was your favourite book as a child?

 

It’s so interesting to find out more about Jennifer, and all about why she became an author. What are your favourite books? Are there certain characters and stories that inspire you to write?

Team AAA xx

 

 

Villainous Carden!

Last week, Lorraine asked Year Six to each imagine the villain that lurks in their fantasy world, and write a diary entry from their perspective. The diaries reveal some dastardly schemes, and some very foul anti-heroes! Here is a small selection… if you can bear to read all about their terrible deeds and plans for world domination!

 

Lorraine was very impressed with their writing, and sent back this wonderful feedback:

 

So this week’s task is to imagine a quest item that is hidden somewhere in their land, and then create a newspaper article or poster all about it. I wonder what fantastical items will be dreamt up… will there be long-lost swords? Magical potions? Or something altogether unexpected?!

Good luck, Year Six!

Team AAA xx

Celebrity Pigs!

Last week, Alex set Gecko class the task of drawing Pigsticks as a celebrity or famous historical figure. Just look at what they came up with! We love the clever piggy names too… “Pigiana Grande” and “Hugh Pigman” are just two of our favourites!

They also sent Alex a wonderful letter, with a few ‘eye spy’ challenges for him to find in their artwork!

Alex wrote back, with some sneaky hints about how Harold & Pigsticks’ friendship might develop in Book 2! He also set them a brand new task:

 

Adopt An Author Team: Pigsticks & Harold! Have you heard about the new challenge for Gecko class?!

Pigsticks: I can’t wait to read them, my friend! Pigs are brilliant in plays.

Harold: Are you sure hamsters are good at acting, though?

Pigsticks: Definitely, Harold. There’s even a style of acting called ‘hamming’!

Adopt An Author Team: Good luck, Gecko class!

 

Team AAA xx