`Book Talk` is…

Book Talk

DCSF Publications Tel: 0845 60 222 60 Booklet: 00467-2008BKT-EN DVD: 00761-2008DVD-EN

“I spend much of my time not writing at all. First, I ‘write’ the stories in my head and dream them and weave them until they’re ready. Then, I sit on the bed and ‘tell’ them down onto the page.” Michael Morpurgo

Good writers… Plan

Talk for Writing is…

…the developmental exploration, through talk, of the thinking and creative processes involved in being a writer. Pie Corbett Talk for Writing workshops 2007-2008

‘Book Talk’ is… • learning about a book by talking about it; • talking to deepen understanding and critical appreciation;

• giving children time to think collectively and tentatively, proposing and reshaping their understanding; • only worth doing if the book contains anything worth talking about!

Creating Interest

Warming up the imagination

Book-talk All was still in the valley of the dragons. Mist had drifted in from the sea nearby and was clinging to the mountains. Birds twittered uncertainly in the foggy damp, and clouds hid the sun.

The Dragon Machine Work with a partner to ‘book talk’, using the example in the handout.

The Dragon Machine

Creating a reading area

Reading Journal

Retelling

Story Sacks

Fill with items to retell the story and stimulate discussion about the themes and issues

Collective Drawing

Empty chair

Role play what you would want to say to George’s parents if they were sat there.

Comparing two images

Book Gossip

Top tips from Pie Corbett

Use drama techniques to develop and enhance book talk.