School visits
For the last twenty-five years, I have worked as a primary teacher with children between the ages of six and thirteen. In fact, I still teach most days. My specialist subject is — no surprise here — creative writing.
Using the Fire Boy books and a selection of other contemporary works, I provide interactive author talks on what makes a hero, story openings and nature settings. Most presentations are forty minutes long and are suitable for whole-school assemblies or specific year groups.
I also offer creative writing workshops which focus on story openings or settings. Such workshops are aimed at smaller groups.
Use the CONTACT FORM to find out more or obtain some teaching resources which you can use with all three of the FIRE BOY books.
Here are a few games to get you started before my visit:
What’s my super power?
This is Twenty Questions for the supremely gifted. Children think of a super power and others have to guess what it is.
(Hint: Strange abilities like the power to transform into a Tyrannosaurus Rex or control the weather will be harder to guess!)
The mystery box
In Fire Boy, Aidan receives a top secret parcel which contains an information book and a jar of sweets. This sets off a chain of events which transform Aidan into a fiery super hero.
Imagine you receive a box in the post. It is wrapped in brown paper and has odd stamps and lettering running round its sides.
What’s in it? Brainstorm some ideas. Choose one, then work backwards: who sent it? What might happen when you open it?