Neal Zetter - AIM High and I CAN! Writing
Neal
Zetter
AIM High Writing
Summary
Age range KS1 to KS3
Books Yes
DBS Checked Yes, enhanced
Booking
Contact
+44 (0)1535 656015
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Neal Zetter is an award-winning comedy poet, author and entertainer.
About Neal
Neal has a 25 + years background in communication management and mentoring who uses the writing and/or performing of poetry to develop literacy, self-expression, confidence, creativity and presentation skills in children, teens and adults.
Neal makes language fun and accessible for the least engaged, while stretching and challenging the most able. He performs in his workshops too, as he has a long track record of appearing in West End comedy and poetry clubs and theatres plus he runs his own club in north London.
Neal runs both AIM High days and I CAN! days. I CAN! days are a fantastic opportunity to engage reluctant writers - more details below!
Neal’s AIM High Writing Days
The key part of Neal’s days is developing and celebrating childrens’ creativity and taking them on a valuable journey whilst writing their own poems. Neal’s days are extremely flexible and focus on ‘free writing’ and whilst many National Curriculum themes are covered in abundance, these days will NOT focus on spelling, punctuation, grammar , handwriting etc - the aim is to create confident and self-expressive writers.
Aims:
develop young writers’ self-expression, creativity and literacy skills through writing and performing poetry in a fun and supportive environment
unlock children’s writing/poetry potential by a providing them with a more creative and ‘out the box’ approach than they might be used to
encourage children to develop own poetry style
give children experience of a real live performance poet and an insight into how he writes and works
provide children with a more unusual activity to those on the curriculum
have fun!
Theme:
Neal selects poem theme for the day from a wide range of fun or more serious topics e.g. My Favourite Place, Food, Superheroes, Transport & Travel, Creepy/Horror, Emotions, Fire, Water, Earth & Air, Sport, Heroes/Role Models, Animals & Other Creatures, London, First Person on the Moon + many, many more
or school can request topic
Content:
introduction to the day
warm up games
Neal introduces and discusses poetry theme
Neal performs his own interactive comedy poetry
‘what makes a poem?’ poetry writing tips including ‘to rhyme or not to rhyme?’ and ‘the power of language tools’
children plan poems
children write poems
break
children continue writing poems
Q&A with Neal
lunch
editing: how good writers become great writers
children rehearse performances in pairs
editing feedback
paired or team word games and poetry writing and performance games
performance tips from Neal
children perform poems
Neal closes with poem
Optional autographs, book sale and signing
Neal’s I CAN! Days - Years 3, 4 & 5
Neal’s I CAN! days are perfect for your reluctant writers. Neal will work closely with your children to build confidence and inspiration to hopefully take them a step closer to appreciate the power of words and realise their own potential. The content of the day largely follows Neal’s AIM High days with the following aims:
• help children build confidence to express themselves through the written and spoken word
• engage the more reluctant writers
• unlock creativity and writing/poetry potential through a more ‘out the box’ approach
• give students an insight into how an author works
• provide children with a fun, enjoyable and memorable day
Neal’s AIM High and I CAN! days cover a huge number of themes/objectives outlined in the National Curriculum (unless otherwise stated). The depth in which these points are covered depends on the age and abilities of the children/students at the event:
Creativity
Confidence
‘Out the box’ thinking/risk-taking when writing
Self-expression
Powerful vocabulary
Descriptive language
Planning
Drafting
Editing (KS2 & Sec in AIM High days only)
Resilience
Enjoyment of reading
Oracy
Listening
Critiquing
Group work
Poetry appreciation
A Selection of Neal’s Books - All books are for reading ages 6-12 years, but younger children will enjoy many of the poems.
NEW! Chicken in the Kitchen. Neal's latest poetry collection features some of his most popular poems, as requested by children during his school visits. All the poems in it are from his first eight poetry books. And yes, the 'banana' one is in it too!
The Shape of Rainbows. Neal's first mixed-themed poetry book since 2016 has something for everyone: Peanut Butter Nutter, Police Car, Two Mums, Living Next Door to a Viking, Bad Smells and The Day I Ate My School are just a few of the titles you'll find inside it.
The Universal Zoo (The Conservation Place at the Far End of Space). Many funny and a few sad poems about a menagerie of mysterious endangered alien creatures all cared for by the Keeper in this special places, a long way from Earth.
When the Bell Goes (A Rapping, Rhyming Trip through Childhood) is jam-packed with nearly fifty of Neal's new poems about school days and growing up, accompanied by wacky facts and jokes galore.
Bookings
To book Neal Zetter please contact
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Neal also offers visits to schools and other settings, click here for more information.