Sunday, June 26, 2011

Alison Lester and University High Authors visit the Grade 2 Neighbourhood

As part of the Grade 2 Neighbourhood’s inquiry investigation about ‘What is a story?’ the children read ‘Are we there yet?’ by Alison Lester. The children related to many of the events that took place in the holiday recount and were inspired to present their own school holiday recounts in a similar style.

Beth Jackson wrote an email to Alison Lester explaining what the neighbourhood had been doing and how much we would appreciate and enjoy a visit. Beth captured Alison Lester’s imagination and she agreed to speak to the grade 2 neighbourhood. In preparation for Alison’s visit the neighbourhood has been reading her books in Book Talk with parent helpers. The children have been conducting word investigations while reading her books and have been making text to text and text to life connections.

Alison Lester and the students from University High visited the Grade 2 Neighbourhood on Thursday the 23rd of June. The Year 7 students from University High School were first to visit arriving a little after the 9 O’clock bell. The Year 7 students had published their own picture books and shared their books and experiences as writers to small groups.

The children were buzzing with excitement and were ready and waiting when Alison arrived a little after 12. The hour visit flew by as the children asked questions about her inspiration, the process she goes through when writing a book and her illustrations. Alison brought in her new book ‘One Small Island’, which is not in stores yet and read it to the class. To finish the session Alison kindly signed children’s books and donated 3 of her books (Noni the Pony, My Farm and Magic Beach) to our school library. Alison Lester is a wonderful story teller.

Rita, Jessica, Ethan and Emma would like to thank all the parents who have participated in Book Talk this term, our Year 7 authors from University High School, Clare Watson for organising the year 7 visit, Alison Lester and our very own Vicky and Beth Jackson.

No comments:

Post a Comment