Tag Archives: Lockdown 2020

Competitions, Creative writing

Carnegie Greenaway Writing Competition

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From https://www.alcs.co.uk/news/teachers-and-parents-get-your-kids-involved-with-the-alcs-ckg-writing-competition

We are delighted to announce the launch of the 2020 ALCS Carnegie and Kate Greenaway (CKG) writing competition, in conjunction with the CKG Awards shadowing scheme.

This year’s competition involves a challenge to young writers aged between 8 and 16 to think about their favourite books from a whole new perspective. We are asking them to imagine they have the opportunity to spend the day with their favourite character in a fictional land, while also thinking about the basic principles of copyright and linking creativity with ownership.

The Prizes

The winner will receive a tablet for their personal use, a selection of Carnegie and Greenaway shortlisted books and £500 worth of books for their school library. Two runners-up will also receive a selection of the Carnegie and Greenaway shortlisted books. Entrants must be signed up to the CKG shadowing scheme: details of how to do this can be found on the CKG website.

This year’s ALCS CKG writing competition closes for entries on Monday 14 September 2020. Find out how to enter here.

https://www.alcs.co.uk/news/teachers-and-parents-get-your-kids-involved-with-the-alcs-ckg-writing-competition

Authors, Books, Websites

Neil Gaiman

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Neil Gaiman is one of the best writers around and he has released lots of free material on his websites for young people and adults.

Parents, please be aware that Neil Gaiman often writes creepy material which may be scary for some children. Others will love it 🙂

Mouse Circus is his site for young people, and currently includes full reads of the fabulous books, The Graveyard Book and Coraline.

There are also four short stories printed in full for reading and a whole load of activities and downloads based on Neil’s writing.

http://www.mousecircus.com/

Grown ups aren’t forgotten either, and there are all sorts of interesting things on the adult part of the website, with free short stories, video clips,   audio and other excerpts from his books.

https://www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff

Apps, Resources, Websites

FreeRice

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FreeRice is a multiple choice quiz game created for the United Nations World Food Programme. Every correct answer pays for real rice to be donated to real people in need around the world.

You can choose to set up an account (free) if you want to keep track of your score, or you can play without logging in. You can download it as an app or play via the website.

There are  various categories including:

  • English grammar
  • English vocabulary
  • World geography
  • World landmarks
  • Country outlines
  • World capitals
  • Flags of the world
  • Famous quotations
  • Famous paintings
  • Literature
  • Maths
  • Languages: French, Spanish, Czech, German, Italian and Latin
  • Anatomy
  • Chemical symbols

Questions get harder as your score rises.

https://freerice.com/

Resources, Websites

Hogwarts Digital Escape Room

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Try this Harry Potter themed digital escape room from Peters Township Public Library, Pennsylvania. You can play or your phone, computer or laptop. No downloads required.

It is your first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and you could not be more excited. You were just sorted into your dream house and you had dinner with your new classmates. It is time to head back to the common room and get to know your roommates.

As you head into the cozy room, the house prefect announces that you have a fun team building activity to complete before you get too settled into your new digs. The house prefect tells you about a new muggle trend where they lock themselves in rooms and have to answer puzzles to get out – no magic at all!

Next thing you know, the room is completely dark and you hear a door slam.

Peters Township Public Library

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflNxNM0jzbZJjUqOcXkwhGTfii4CM_CA3kCxImbY8c3AABEA/viewform