Colin R Parsons - AIM High Writing
Colin R
Parsons
AIM High Writing
Summary
Age range KS2 and KS3
Books Yes
DBS Checked Yes
Booking
Contact
+44 (0)1535 656015
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Colin R. Parsons enjoys writing exciting adventures for primary and secondary school students. His books are fast-paced with likable characters and thrill-a-minute storylines. He has written many novels in his career and continues to write many more.
About Colin
Colin, for years has worked throughout the UK visiting hundreds of schools, addressing assemblies, delivering workshops and sitting in on Q&A's in author talks. He enjoys working with Years 3, to 7, helping pupils produce fun and exciting stories.
Colin is a member of The Scattered Authors Society – Dragontongue – Literature Wales.
Colin’s AIM High Writing Days
Colin’s days start off with a short presentation to ‘break the ice’. When there are children mixing from different schools, some may feel intimidated and shy, so the informal and humorous half-hour presentation helps bring them together.
They then play with the character’s names for the workshop. Colin throws a ball and when someone catches it, he/she has to give him a name for the story.
Colin then explains everything about the story that they are going to write. The group then focus on building their story using various techniques and composition (plot, description, grammar, spelling, dialogue, pace etc) and Colin will work with all the children with encouraging advice if they have any problems putting pen to paper.
In the afternoon they have a ‘reading session’ where the pupils read out what adventure they’ve come up with and Colin gives them direction.
Late in the afternoon when the writing and reading is done, Colin does a short book-signing session. To finish off he gives the pupils a choice – they can either do a Q&A session or a quiz called: ‘Film, book or both.’
This format has proved to be very popular and works really well.
Curriculum Focus
Colin's A.I.M. High Days targets the many aspects of writing. The sessions focus on structuring a story, building characters that children can relate to and adding other elements that are needed. Children each have to write the initial plot with gentle instructions, which he delivers verbally and visually.
Colin explains why we need to use their "Five Senses" and "All the W's & H" When, Where, Why, Who, What and How. The group immerses itself in the plot and focus on using a peppering of description and meaningful, flowing dialogue. Each piece has to be written as a first draft.
Children edit as best as they can, by checking the spelling, punctuation, grammar and the flow of the story (they can do this by reading aloud to themselves or reading each other's work).
When explaining the idea of the workshop, Colin always stresses that they don't have to worry about finishing the story. Children can take them back to school and work on them there. Colin doesn't want anyone to panic or stress about a deadline, as long as they enjoy what they are doing. There's a "Read Back" session in the afternoon where the pupils relay their work to the class and he gives them advice on where to take the story next.
A Selection of Colin’s Books
Bookings
To book Colin R Parsons please contact
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Colin also offers visits to schools and other settings, click here for more information.