Literacy and the Diamond Jubilee
2012 is the Diamond Jubilee of HM Queen Elizabeth II - 60 years as monarch. This is a truly historic occasion, and Queen Elizabeth II is the second longest reigning monarch in more than 1,000 years of British kings and queens. Only Queen Victoria has reigned longer.
Are children really that interested in the Queen?
Children are genuinely interested in the monarchy, and in Queen Elizabeth II in particular. I base this statement on what children have said to me over many years. When given the choice of which famous person they would most like to learn about, Queen Elizabeth II wins most times on a show of hands, usually beating teachers' favourites Florence Nightingale and Vincent van Gogh. When I then ask, "Why do most of you want to find out about the Queen?", their answer is always the same - "Because she is special." This has been repeated at school after school across the UK.
How do you - and I - make the Diamond Jubilee relevant in school? How can it be used to improve reading, writing, handwriting, listening and literacy? I'm offering the following themed sessions which should appeal to children and staff.
Y1 / Y2 Timeline storyboard writing workshop: The Queen's story, year by year
A short talk looking at a few key years in the Queen's life, followed by a worksheet activity in which children chronologically recount her story in words and pictures.
Size of group: Individual classes or smaller groups.
Duration: About 90 minutes (this allows for discussion time, writing time and, hopefully, sharing time at the end of the session).
Location and requirements: Classroom with use of whiteboard or marker board; photocopier for copying activity sheets.
Y3 / Y4 / Y5 / Y6 Talk: The Little Princess who became our Queen
Born third in line to the throne, ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth's life changed forever in December 1936, when her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated. From then on, her destiny was set - that one day, she would become our Queen.
Size of group: All KS2 together, or individual classes.
Duration: About 60 minutes.
Location and requirements: School hall, or classroom with use of whiteboard or marker board.
Y3 / Y4 / Y5 / Y6 Writing workshop: Your Majesty ... Write a letter to the Queen "No, Oliver, you can't email or text her instead." "Yes, Olivia, she does have a Facebook page, but let's use our handwriting pens today, shall we?"
How to write a letter to the Queen. A traditional letter written long-hand on paper. The format of the letter; the formal salutation; the formal closing line; the postal address to use.
The letter content would be for children to decide. What would they like to ask the Queen? What would they like to tell the Queen about themselves, their family, their town, their hopes for the future, and so on? This would be part of the class discussion.
Size of group: Individual classes or smaller groups.
Duration: About 90 minutes (this allows for discussion time, writing time and, hopefully, sharing time at the end of the session).
Location and requirements: Classroom with use of whiteboard or marker board; photocopier for copying activity sheets; passport-sized photo of each child to send with their letter (not essential - they can draw a picture of themselves if a photo isn't possible).
Suggested timetable for a Queen Elizabeth themed day
Please juggle around with the times I outline above to fit into your school day. As you'll see from the suggested timetable below, it looks like you can have a maximum of four sessions in the day - I really won't want to squeeze in any more. It's up to you to choose which sessions you want, and which classes you want me to work with.
Start
End
Session
9:10
10:30
Writing workshop: Queen Elizabeth timeline storyboard (Y1 / Y2 class)
10:30
10:45
morning break
10:45
12:00
Talk: The Little Princess who became our Queen (all KS2, or a smaller number, eg 1 or 2 classes)
12:00
1:00
lunch and book signing
1:00
2:15
Writing workshop: Write a letter to the Queen (Y3 / Y4 class)
2:20
3:15
Writing workshop: Write a letter to the Queen (Y5 / Y6 class)
And finally ... A giftbook for your children
I have written a Diamond Jubilee children's biography of the Queen (Queen Elizabeth II - Her Story). If you're wondering about a suitable gift to give to your children to mark the Diamond Jubilee, this attractive, affordable book should be what you want. Please click here to find out how you can put a literacy gift into your children's hands and homes. Please contact me asap if you want to take up this offer.
Preparation on the day of my visit
On the day, please make sure I have:
Two or three good-sized tables to set up my display materials.
