Tony's Toolbox
Primary Schools Programmes & Workshops - Volunteer work with local schools Year 6 (1 day/week) throughout the school year using the tool box below - working towards the Year 6 performances at Christmas & End of Year Leavers’ Service. Also helped with reading, story-telling and creative writing across the age groups and supported the kids as they produced their own Poetry Anthology
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Poems + Poets (Pick ‘n Mix)
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Build your poetry bank
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History è longest, shortest, oldest poem+ yours today
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Poem of the week
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‘Have a Go’ poetry box
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The Word Party
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The Junk Shop
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Games, Quizzes & Dress-up bag: Role play- different characters/accents using the great big bag full of coats, hats, wigs etc.
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Word morphing
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Personification and Show Don’t Tell
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The Children’s Poet Laureate
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Short Stories: 4 Things to:
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Write a 5 min story
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Make up stories with examples…
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The Senses- Materials—describe emotions
OUTSIDE LESSONS!
'walk the talk” & poems for the seasons
Tony’s Top 10 Performance Tips
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Practice makes better ( the more you practice the better you get)
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So, know your poem inside out, understand the rhythm, the word(s) that need emphasis, timing, speed of delivery, musicality etc.
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Try to learn special poems “off by heart” it’s well worth the practice! And a tip for learning ‘off by heart” is to see the poem in terms of pictures/scenes/ images first, which then can trigger the words.
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Read out loud to yourself and use a mirror to watch your body language and the sound of your voice. Get into the habit of reading out loud short stories etc; maybe a poem every day?
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Ask friends/family to listen in, what do they think?
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Make your own poetry recordings
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Listen to poetry audiotapes not just reading poetry
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Try different voices and/or pitch of voice; is the poem better or not?
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Don’t RUSH!!!the poem. Remember the poem, particularly if it’s yours, has needed a lot of care and attention to be finished.
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“Set up” the poem beforehand with the audience. What it’s about, who wrote it, etc. so that the audience is paying attention and interested but keep it short!
Remember: A great performance can really bring a poem to life and make all the difference – so keep practicing, it’s worth it!
For more information click here