Artistic Control

Lorraine was thrilled with the endings that Year Six came up with last week. She sent them this eloquent reply:

In the meantime, the class sent Lorraine their blurbs:

 

We absolutely love these! We particularly enjoyed their choice of book reviewers (quite varied!) Would you read these books, based on their blurbs?

As Lorraine mentioned in her letter- the class and their author will be meeting for the very first time next week. Lorraine sent them their VERY LAST task:

We really enjoyed reading about the illustrations on Lorraine’s book covers, and how sometimes she doesn’t get to choose the titles! Luckily, Year Six will get to design their own book jackets, so they will keep complete artistic control over both the title and the artwork!

We can’t wait to see what they come up with,

Team AAA xx

 

 

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The Final Task!

Alex was absolutely chuffed with the characters that the class came up with last week:

Gecko class were clearly feeling very inspired after seeing Alex’s “Hotel Flamingo” illustrations…they got straight on with the task and came up with some wonderful scenes! Take a look at these! Pigsticks and Harold have so many new friends:

 

And next week…Gecko class and their adopted author Alex will meet for the very first time at a very special party! Maybe Alex will share a few more sneak previews of his new book with them.

Looking forward to it, Geckos!

Team AAA xx

Start Sketching!

Alex was so pleased with Gecko class and their marvellous plasticine models last week. He sent them this lovely letter:

 

 

So their challenge is to create a character of their very own! We really loved seeing some of Alex’s drawings, as he developed the look of a new character for his latest book.

Gecko got off to a great start:

 

We spied quite a few Robots in there (with brilliant names like ‘RoBob’ and ‘Freezeabot’) We also really enjoyed seeing some of the characters develop even on a single page – like ‘Fluffy’, for example.

We can’t wait to find out what challenge Alex will set them next time…will these new, original characters turn up again?

Team AAA xx

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

 

A Horde of Harolds!

Last week, Alex set Gecko class the challenge of drawing Harold the hamster.  Did you know that ‘horde’ is the special word for describing a group of hamsters?! There are 28 wonderful Harolds in this horde!

They also sent a new letter, letting Alex know what else they have been getting up to this week, and wondering if the “Pigsticks and Harold” books are ever translated into other languages!

Alex sent back this lovely message, congratulating Geckos on their wonderful Harold drawings:

What a great new challenge! We can’t wait to see which famous people Gecko class will choose to turn into Pigs and Hamsters. Will there be a Dr. Frankenswine? Or a Pablo Pigcasso?!

Good luck, Gecko class!

Team AAA xx

 

 

Comic Strip Predictions!

Over at Brunswick Primary, Jaguar class decided to draw comic strips based on the first chapter of the book, predicting what happens next! Their teacher told us that the class loved discussing what might happen… (“Most thought he would be isolated at school the next day as he may start to smell!”) Here is a sample of some of their fantastic artwork:

They did so well, that Jennifer has set them a new challenge!

We’re so looking forward to reading the diary entries! It’s interesting to think about the same events, but from the perspective of another character. I wonder whether Jess had any secret thoughts and feelings that Alex didn’t know about!

Team AAA xx

Cartographic Creations!

Last week, Lorraine Gregory set two tasks for Year Six at Carden Primary. One: make a map! Two: A writing task, describing the worlds they created!

Jaguar class turned out to be very impressive cartographers (that’s the special word for map-makers!) Here is a little glimpse of some of the work they sent back to Lorraine this week!

There were so many brilliant maps- all with very atmospheric names and lots of detail.

Lorraine sent back this lovely letter to the class:

Year Six will be working on their second task this week. We’re so excited to see the descriptions of the lands that go with these wonderful maps…and to see how their fantasy worlds develop through each of Lorraine’s tasks!

Team AAA xx

 

Pigsticks Pictures!

This week, Gecko class rose to Alex’s challenge. They posted some of their brilliant illustrations to him, along with a few more well-chosen questions! They’ve been roaring through Alex’s book “Pigsticks and Harold & The Incredible Journey”; they’re on page 25 of the book already!

 

Here is a small sample of some of the wonderful work they sent to Alex to have a look at:

 

 

One of the class also made their own version of the “How To Draw Pigsticks” sheet that Alex sent last week… let us know if you use this to draw your own Pigsticks!

Alex replied answering all of their questions, as well as setting a special new challenge for next week:

If you would like to have a go at drawing Harold the hamster, you can have a look at Alex’s special instructions here!

 

I wonder what other kinds of snacks Harold might end up sampling in this drawing challenge!

Can’t wait to see how you get on, Gecko class!

Team AAA xx