US author offers London primary schools a poetry event

US author and poet Patricia Toht is offering free poetry workshops for children aged 9-11 years to primary schools in and around London, with the events to take place from the 14th to the 27th June 2017.

The events will mark the launch of Toht's book, All Aboard the London Bus, published by Frances Lincoln. There will be no costs involved for the schools taking part. If you are interested in having Patricia Toht visit your school, please email your details as soon as possible to: [email protected] Subject: Poetry event The book follows a family of four who spend a day exploring London. Poems introduce readers to well-known landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the London Eye; while not forgetting the rain and traditions like taking tea. The poetry is accompanied by facts about London's landmarks. Toht is offering two different poetry workshops, Can you Haiku? and Poems of Address (see below) for those aged 9-11 years (or Years 4-7). Each workshop lasts for about 45 minutes. The workshops can be delivered to one class of 30 or can be adapted for 60 children. ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS Poetry Workshops: Can You Haiku? (ages 9-11, 45 minutes) ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS is a collection of poems about the city of London, and one of its spreads contains 'A Gallery of Haiku', a series of haiku about fascinating objects from the British Museum. This poetry workshop includes: - Brief introduction about the inspiration behind the book and publication - Shared reading of A Gallery of Haiku - Discussion of haiku - Review of what a syllable is - Explanation of the rules of haiku - Poetic license - stepping outside the rules of haiku - Postcards of museum items and information and brainstorming - Student writing time with encouragement and problem-solving - Sharing time and Q & A 'Dear Sir or Madam...' Poems of Address (ages 9-11, 45 minutes) ALL ABOARD THE LONDON BUS is a collection of poems about the city of London, and one of its spreads is 'Registering a Complaint', a letter from Tower Bridge to anyone who will listen, bemoaning the tendency of people to use the wrong name when referring to it. This poetry workshop includes: - Brief introduction about the inspiration behind the book and publication - Shared reading of Registering a Complaint - Discussion of poems of address - What is a poem of address? A mask poem? An epistolary poem? - Coming up with ideas - Poetic license - freedom to NOT rhyme! - Brainstorming - Student writing time with encouragement and problem-solving - Sharing time and Q & A