S G Literacy

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

SWIPE! Day 330: Ashton St Peter's Primary

With English Lead, Mrs Roberts. It’s the last week of the academic year, and what better way to keep the momentum going than to have an author visit! We recited poetry, read excerpts from my book, and raised the roof singing New King. Pupils had prepared questions ahead of the visit and were keen to find out all about my writing journey. Donning their wide-brimmed hats and funky shoes, it was promising to see so many pupils queuing for a signed copy of my book after the assemblies!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

June/July Year 6 REFLECTIONS Workshop.

Today I was at New City Primary School, working with ninety Year 6 pupils. It was interesting to see how so many had similar concerns about the move to secondary school. Talking about your problems certainly helps, and what good timing; most pupils have their transition day tomorrow or on Friday! Thank you to Mr Cottis and the rest of the Y6 team for inviting me back to work with your pupils using material from my book, Reflections.

#BanjiAlexander #Reflections #Year6 #year6transition

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 329: St Ursula's E-ACT Academy

With Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Shaile. Off the back of the heatwave, we had to postpone this visit earlier on in the week. I was pleased to finally make it down today, and pupils reciprocated the sentiment, calling out enthusiastically as they spotted me entering the building at the end of lunchtime. We explored the themes and inspiration behind my work, and I was asked incisive questions about my writing by both KS1 & KS2 cohorts. Despite the very hot weather, it was lovely to see so many of you after school during the book signing.

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 328: Chalfont Valley Primary Academy

With reading lead, C Kimsey. In the tucked away village of Chalfont, pupils kept their cool in the exceedingly hot weather as we ventured through some of my work, including my stories and songs. We discussed the life of an author and I answered questions about what inspires me and how to be a confident writer. There was a keen interest in music at this school, with many pupils excited about Banji’s Class coming to West London very soon!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

June/July Year 6 REFLECTIONS Workshop.

Today I was at Penwortham Primary School, working with eighty-eight Year 6 pupils. I first met this cohort when they were in Year 2 so it was interesting spending the day helping them reflect on their time spent at Penwortham, and thinking about what the future holds. Pupils didn’t hold back discussing their hopes and worries about secondary school, working in groups to think of practical solutions and habits to prepare themselves for September and beyond. The #Reflections Workshop is all about preparing Year 6 pupils for the transition to secondary school.

@Penwortham212

Thank you to headteacher, Mrs Andrews, & Y6 Lead, Mrs Gilmour  + Y6 Team for inviting me to work with your pupils using material from my book, Reflections.

#BanjiAlexander #Reflections #Year6 #year6transition

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 327: Rotherhithe Primary School

With Assistant Head, Miss Hall. There was maximum enthusiasm today as I entered the school grounds. Wearing fancy hats and funky shoes, pupils called out to me from the playground. Before reading excerpts from Lockdown Looms, we made predictions about what the story might be about based on the title and front cover. We explored the themes in the text and thought of adjectives to describe characters’ feelings. Pupils were excited to sing New King - and their eagerness certainly raised the roof as they raised their voices.

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 326: Beechview Academy

With English Lead, Miss Edington. Pupils were keen to find out about my writing habits and which projects I have in the pipeline. We discussed the inspiration behind various work, including Lockdown Looms, Freddie’s Soliloquy, and New King. Pupils knew my lyrics better than I did, and it was fun trying out a split two part vocal arrangement, giving new energy to their rendition. Another busy book-signing session after school; thank you to parents, children, and staff who made this possible!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

June/July Year 6 REFLECTIONS Workshop.

Today I was at South Norwood Primary School. Working with two Year 6 classes, we spent the afternoon discussing everything to do with primary to secondary transition. Pupils were fully engaged, and opened up as we discussed worries and thought of solutions and strategies to overcome them. We looked at the brilliant opportunities that lie ahead and discussed all the things they’re excited to experience in the next phase of their academic journey. The #Reflections Workshop is all about preparing Year 6 pupils for the transition to secondary school.

Thank you to headteacher, Mr Looker, & Miss Ali & Miss Anderson + Y6 Team for inviting me to work with your pupils using material from my book, Reflections.

#BanjiAlexander #Reflections #Year6 #year6transition

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 325: Walton on the Hill Primary School

With English Lead, Mrs Lacy. Tucked away in the picturesque village of Walton-on-the-Hill, the school felt homely, and the community was inviting. We read excerpts from my work, recited poetry, and pupils were keen to ask questions during the Q&A. Ten out of ten for funky hats and funky shoes, and what beautiful singing! It was encouraging to see so many of you after during the book signing.

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

“We really enjoyed the workshop and feel that it went well too.

I think Banji is very engaging and pitched it at the right level for this age group of children. The book is fantastic and very high quality. The children all really like the book. There are lots of PSHE objectives covered in the book which is great.

I really like that the whole workshop focused on solutions for children. Often, transition workshops talk alot about worries that children have and tell them that it is ok to be worried. Which is fine. However, they often lack trying to find solutions. Banji focused alot on solutions which I really liked, and this made the workshop a positive experience.

Thanks so much.”

All Saints Benhilton C Of E Primary School

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

June/July Year 6 REFLECTIONS Workshop.

Today I was at Lady Bankes Primary School. Ninety Year 6 pupils spent the morning & afternoon discussing e-safety, friendships & relationships, and their feelings surrounding the transition to Year 7. We shared coping mechanisms and strategies which could help. The #Reflections Workshop is all about preparing Year 6 pupils for the transition to secondary school.

Thank you to Headteacher, Mrs Needs, & the Year 6 Team for inviting me to work with your pupils using material from my book, Reflections.

#BanjiAlexander #Reflections #Year6 #year6transition

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 324: South Wonston Primary School

With teachers from across the school. Pupils were already on a high today as they had their sports day earlier in the day. With on and off rain, my arrival promised an afternoon full of literature, music, & even more fun! We read and discussed excerpts from my work, discussed the inspiration behind some of my writing, and performed New King & Freddie’s Soliloquy together!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 323: Abbotswood Junior School

With librarian, J Duell. Once pupils in the playground spotted me approaching the school building, the chanting and cheering crescendoed into a frenzy! Inside the assemblies we made predictions, thought of adjectives to describe characters’ feelings and enjoyed some poetry from my up and coming poetry collection. Of course we sang New King…and it was wonderful meeting so many parents and pupils in the library after school for the book signing.

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 322: Newbury Park Primary School

With Lead Practitioner, Ms Lau. There was never a dull moment. The enthusiasm for today’s visit was palpable. We read excerpts from Lockdown Looms, engaged in a thorough Q&A and raised the roof with our voices singing, New King!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[S G Literacy @SGLiteracy]

RT @banjialexander: Day 321: Thistle Hill Academy

With teachers and staff from across the school. Today I visited the Isle of Sheppey m f…

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 320: Clapham Manor Primary

With English Lead, Mr Pittard. Pupils showed off their brilliant inference skills as they made predictions based on the front cover of Lockdown Looms. We engaged in partner talk as we used our imagination to place ourselves in a character’s shoes to consider their feelings. Looking at the illustrations from the New King lyric video, pupils were able to match the various song lyrics to the illustrations. Of course we ended with some brilliant singing…and the award for best dancing goes to Mr Pittard’s teaching assistant…you know who you are!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 319: Western House Academy

With English Lead, Mr Partridge. With over one hundred copies of my book to sign today, we had to have two separate book signing sessions; one before the assemblies and one afterwards! After reading excerpts from Lockdown Looms, pupils had lots of questions about my writing journey and wanted to know all about why I do what I do! The icing on the cake was when the music teacher, Mr Robinson, switched on the disco lights in the hall as a large group of children took centre stage to boogie to New King!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

SWIPE! Day 318: Smitham Primary School

With English Lead, Miss Warren. I held three assemblies today for this very large school. The singing got progressively louder as I worked my way up through the key stages…these pupils had the best time and were well rehearsed. Reading excerpts from Lockdown Looms, we looked at how descriptive vocabulary gives the reader a clearer sense of how each character is feeling. There were super long queues today after school for a signed copy of my book!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 317: Ark Blacklands Primary Academy

With Reading Lead, Mrs Lozada. It was my first time visiting Hastings today and there was lots to see in the town centre, although I didn’t get to visit the beach! Children were in high spirits, eager to discuss characters’ feelings as we focused on the protagonist’s dilemma in Lockdown Looms. There were plenty of funky and fancy hats bopping in the assemblies as children sang along to New King.

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter

[Banji Alexander @banjialexander]

Day 316: Claytons Primary School

With Reading Lead, Mrs Davis. The atmosphere was electric the moment I walked in. Children wore hats to celebrate my visit and were keen to listen to excerpts from Lockdown Looms. Their questions during the Q&A kept the momentum going, and I was treated to a choreographed dance by some pupils as they sang New King. Over 100 pupils queued up for a signed copy of my book after school, but what was really special, was being awarded a singing star certificate at a pupil’s request!

Thank you for having me!

#BanjiAlexander #Author #Teacher #LockdownLooms #BookTour #edutwitter