Author workshops: Author, poet, and Bafta-award winning scriptwriter, Michael Lee Richardson, returned to deliver two more poetry workshops. Michael had introduced the pupils to ‘cut-up poetry’, a technique popularised by Dada artists Tristian Tzara in the 1920s where linear text is cut up then reassembled to create a new poem. Our version was LGBT themed, using some of Michael’s published text on Ru Paul and Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. Our final session with Michael saw us creating poems and creative writing pieces using LGBT photos as inspiration. In the latter part of the session, pupils were instructed to write about colours of pens they’ve chosen using sensory, descriptive words that he would then take away, rearrange and send back in poem form.
A big thank you to Michael Lee Richardson for his time and talent. The group really enjoyed the workshops and felt empowered and proud of the poems they created.
Book Week Scotland: This year’s Book Week Scotland theme is Blether, so the Library has created a display of pupil suggestions taken from FMRC recommendation cards. Here’s what some pupils are saying about their favourite books:
Does my Head Look Big in This by Randa Abdel-Fattah: You’ll enjoy this book if you like realistic stories that you can relate to.
The Cupcake Wedding by Gillian Cross: You’ll enjoy this book if you like books about cupcakes and humour
S/He by Catherine Bruton: This book is worth reading because it shows the LBT community working together and you shouldn’t have to label someone. You should just be accepting of everyone.
Wonder by RJ Palacio: You’ll enjoy this book if you like realistic books, comedy and emotional text. It has an incredible ending.
Tokyo Ghoul 14 by Sui Ishida: You’ll enjoy this book if you like books full of action
Book Week Scotland Comics: The Library teamed up with the English Department who organised a week-long comic-making activity for all S1 pupils. Pupils were put into teams and given free rein to plan, design, and create their very own comic book. The top four comics were chosen by a teacher and the Librarian and winners would receive Amazon gift vouchers and would have their comics turned into a flip-book. Congratulations to the winners and well done to those who participated.
Book Week Scotland: Book Swap: We also enjoyed a cake, a book, and a blether as part of the Big Book Swap in the library to end an eventful Book Week Scotland. . Students and teachers were encouraged to donate books for the event in exchange for a slice of cake or a free swap. A huge thank you to Miss McLean of the English Department for organising some the event.
Shawlands Favourite Scots Word: As part of Book Week Scotland, the Scottish Book Trust held a poll to find out the nation’s favourite Scots word. Judges narrowed the selection down to 30 words. We thought it would be interesting to run our own poll within the school to find out Shawlands Academy’s favourite Scots words.
Here are the winners: Scotland’s favourite: Driech Shawlands Academy’s favourite: Wheesht!
Hurricane Book Group: The Hurricane Book Group met for their Twitter chat with Muhammad Khan to discuss his book I Am Thunder. Pupils enjoyed pizza and soft drinks and were thrilled to have an opportunity to chat back and forth with a published author. Looking forward to the next term when we will read Sara Barnard’s prize-winning book, Goodbye Perfect.
Author visit: Jem Milton: The Library invited illustrator and author, Jem Milton, to visit some S3 pupils for an LGBT superhero character workshop as part of our SLIF-funded project. Jem introduced the pupils to LGBT identities and taught them how to create their own characters by thinking about their background, personality traits, powers and abilities, and how they identify. Students then had the opportunity to bring their superheroes to life using one of Jem’s templates.
