Manor House School senior pupils write children's books for younger pupils

The English Department at Manor House School in Bookham devised a creative learning project for Year 9 pupils of the Senior School. Their task was to work in groups to create, write and design a children’s book to read and present to younger pupils in the Lower Prep School.

The learning objectives of the project included: story telling, group-work and collaboration, time management, writing for a specific audience, identifying the conventions of children’s books, using language appropriate to an audience and purpose, using structure effectively and combining language and illustration to tell a story. Additionally, girls had to use their artistic skills and technology (Book Creator) to design the book whilst making props and preparing a performance to the Early Years Department. Groups were asked to write promotional content to promote the story, much like you would find on the back of a book cover.

On World Book Day, senior girls read their books to the Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2 children during their English lesson. It was lovely to see children in the Early Years Department join the older girls in the Senior English classrooms where pupils used the iPad technology to prompt their independent story reading.

Mrs Roberts, English Teacher, gave an inspiring introduction to the project. Mrs Lorenz, Head of English, said: "The girls were highly engaged from the very start. Throughout the last week of the project, they worked cooperatively and enthusiastically in their groups and they were really looking forward to presenting their stories to the Early years on World Book Day.” Charlotte M in Year 9 was appointed chief photographer throughout the English project and created a shared album for the group. Girls then turned the photos into a short iMovie demonstrating the whole process from start to finish.

Following World Book Day, pupils conducted an evaluation and feedback session on the project and their writing.

"It was really enjoyable to be able to draw on our favourite books from childhood and then follow the creative process through from the first ideas to completing and presenting the book." (Sophie)

"I loved the creative aspect." (Matilda)

"It was entertaining to see the children’s faces as they listened to the stories." (Emme)

"It made you realise how you needed to plan your time effectively." (Felicity)