Have a jolly go at finding the historical words, which can be found vertically, horizontally, diagonally to be read forwards or backwards.

Imagination is key, after selecting A5 paper/card design your own postcard based on a theme. Add colour with the use of crayons, feltips etc. Themes - holidays, places, celebrations, sport, food, weather, textiles, art, the list is endless..........

Great resources for classroom use, poetry workshops and within school assemblies.

A short video to inspire young people.

Is your school located in Birmingham? Book a free Key Stage 2 poetry workshop / poetry assembly production.

Great resources for classroom use, poetry workshops and within school assemblies.

The Ever-Changing Dream is a fantasy fiction book that explores the fascinating journey of a young school aged boy, namely Jesse. This particular title falls into the children’s literature category yet could be deemed as both accessible and appealing to adults. The main character, who attends a state academy, hails from a humble, working-class background, in which he is all too aware of apparent socio-economic divides. On a number of occasions he has experienced financial limitations. As further chapters unfold a range of modern day realities are highlighted. The aforementioned aspects are duly relatable, insofar that they are each identifiable with a range of audiences. There are notable aspects pertaining to the noteworthy characters, including Jesse’s vulnerability, Elizabeth’s popularity, Toby’s dominance, Suzie’s light-heartedness, as well as Jimmy’s aloofness. Furthermore the novel illustrates the family dynamics within the Jobson household, that were to evolve over time. Within the earlier chapters Jesse feels barely able to relate to his ‘workaholic’ father who was both busy and distant. At this time his mother’s nurturing character afforded him some degree of stability. Whilst seeking to resolve such aspects within the land of dreams, Jesse soon found his father demonstrating a higher degree of openness and warmth. His father, Jimmy had come to the acute realisation that he had his existing priorities misplaced and sought to address the issue. A more balanced home life began to positively impact his school experience, although he still had further issues to contend with amongst his rivals and contemporaries. Within the later chapters, memorable events unfold including sports day, a school trip to the nature reserve, as well as family trips. Such experiences presented Jesse with some degree of challenge, whereby he was able to overcome with triumph. By the time his family had resumed their family trips of days gone by; they were able to reconnect, with re-established rapport. Throughout the plot Jesse is accompanied by a mythological character, namely Glad, who allows him to explore further possibilities beyond the proximity of his comfort zone. The plot within the land of dreams includes inanimate objects, assuming human characteristics, including sliding bananas, self-writing maker pens and a dancing tree. Such creative scenes nurture creativity and capture the essence of literary liberation. Aspects of the current school system are featured in parts of the book, including the roles, responsibilities and demands of individual teachers, the resourcefulness of teaching assistants, as well as the reality of school inspections. Furthermore the consideration of family structures in relation to social norms is implied within the plot, for example when a particular pupil’s questions Miss Tiny’s unmarried status, whilst simultaneously crossing personal boundaries.

Based on the title The Ever-Changing Dream is the play version that can be acted out in schools and theatres alike.

Poetry

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio

Format: Audio