Junior School Inspiring Young Readers and Writers 16
by Clair Harrington-Wilcox, Deputy Headteacher and students Tanglin was extremely proud to host Pie Corbett at school earlier this year. Pie Corbett spent a week in the Junior School working with the students, teachers and also running a series of parent workshops on how to inspire our young readers and writers. Pie’s visit was part of Tanglin’s commitment to lifelong learning and working in partnership with the whole community.
Pie Corbett is well-known for his practical and inspiring sessions on teaching literacy. Author and editor of over 250 books, he writes poetry and stories as well as materials for teachers. He has worked with all the major publishers, the BBC and the National Primary Strategy as well as running projects for the Department of Education. In 2010, he was made an Honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Winchester, recognising a lifetime’s service to creative education, poetry and storytelling. The Junior School was lucky enough to benefit from a week of Pie’s addictive enthusiasm, passion and knowledge. “Children who are told stories are the ones who first form abstract concepts across the curriculum – in other words, being read to makes you brainy! The best writers in the class are always those who are avid readers. Reading really matters!” - Pie Corbett, The Guardian April 2010 Pie Corbett ignited a passion for reading and writing in the Junior School as children, parents and staff alike were thrilled by his performances and mesmerised by his workshops… the impact is still tangible in classrooms months later.
The following quotes from students and staff encapsulate the success and lasting impact of Pie’s visit. After Year 3 Story telling session and class sessions: “I really liked how he told his stories with actions.” Hannah, Y3.1 “I found his stories really dramatic!” Jay, Y3.1 “I think his stories are fabulous!” Tania, Y4.5 “Pie Corbett is a very good story teller - the best story teller ever!” Ankit, Y4.2 “It was very exciting writing with Pie Corbett in a small group because he did a lot of fun poetry, telling us exciting methods to let our writing flow. It was very enjoyable and imaginative. Working with him was also fun because expression was driven into the words and the ideas were sparked from life. He has various ways to make it extremely exciting and interesting. Not a single moment was dull and I enjoyed it immensely.” Mihir, Y4.7 “I really enjoyed working with Pie Corbett because we were in a small group so everyone’s thoughts were put forward. He was really encouraging when we were writing our ideas for a poem and he gave us some brilliant words when we were stuck. It was really fun and I wish I could do it again!” Alisha, Y4.4
Feedback from Infant Teachers “It was brilliant! Snappy and relevant to not only Teachers and Teaching Assistants but to all our age groups. Very cleverly done.” Jenny Stead, Nursery “He was fantastic! I wish we could have listened to him for a lot longer. Inspirational and engaging. So much fun to listen to him. I had already planned to tell a story to my class this week before we even went to listen to him but now we have ideas of how to bring the story alive.” Karen Dyson, Y1 “Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever. ~ Indian Proverb… But for me… Pie was truly inspirational… I can’t wait to do even more storytelling in my classroom.” Estelle Hood, Nursery “I thought it was fantastic… really inspirational. You know someone has inspired you when you can’t wait to get back to your classroom and begin planning! He gave me so many ideas. I’m making a story box and a story teller’s cloak as we speak!” Louise Fisher, Reception