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Wednesday 30 March 2016

War Horse


Tonight, 'The Free Spirit Horse Memorial'  is raising funds to create a lasting memorial, acknowledging the
unfaltering service of horses to mankind, at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire.
 
The event  itself is to  'Celebrate the Horse' at the Defence Medical Services, Whittington, Staffordshire.
 
 During the event, pupils from Broadway Academy Birmingham will be reading my poem 'War Horse'. which can be found on my main website.   See Above. 
 
Wishing them every success.
 
 
 
 

 
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Thursday 24 March 2016

Easter Hats


Happy Easter!
 
I hop you enjoy this Easter poem.....
 
 

Easter Hats
 

Easter hats, thin and wide

Some with ribbons on the side.
 
 

Some with flowers of pink and blue

Some with Easter bunnies too.
 

Easter hats tall and small

Easter hats for one and all. 
 
 

Some with Easter eggs in nests

Some with ducks and chickens dressed. 

 

Easter hats the children made

Ready for the big parade. 

 

Some with paper twirls and swirls

Some for boys and some for girls.

 
© Brenda Williams

Monday 21 March 2016

Spring arrives today.

It's the first day of Spring today and the sun is shining!  Here is my poem for today, but you can find more Spring poems on my main website.  See heading above.


Time for Spring
 

Something is happening.

Something’s going on.

I can sense it in the farm yard,

I can feel it in the sun.
 

I can hear it in the newborn lambs

Bleating in the rain.

I can see it in the daffodils

Dancing once again.

 

Something is happening.

There are buds upon the trees.

And when I’m in the garden

I can hear the buzz of bees.

 

I can catch the billowing blossom

As it blows towards my hand.

I can see the new crops growing

All across the farmer’s land.

 

Something is happening.

Birds know this when they sing

They tell us winter’s over.

And now its time for Spring!

 

©Brenda Williams

Thursday 17 March 2016

St. Patrick's Day Today!

I hope you all have a great St. Patrick's Day!
 
 
It’s the wearing of the green day

 
It’s the wearing of the green day

The wearing of the green!

For all around this Emerald Isle

The shamrock can be seen!
 

It’s the wearing of the green day

The day we celebrate                        

St Patrick and his message

On this most important date.
 

It’s the wearing of the green day

In this land of hills and lakes

Where St Patrick had the wisdom

To banish all the snakes.
 

It’s the wearing of the green day

A time to dance and sing

For the sound of Irish music

Brings a welcome touch to Spring.
 

It’s the wearing of the green day

When we remember well

The shamrock and its three leaves

And the story they can tell.
 

It’s the wearing of the green day 

So follow the parades

We’ll beat the drums and play the pipes

Until the daylight fades.
  

©Brenda Williams 2009

Friday 11 March 2016

World Poetry Day 21st March 2016

With poetry very much a part of the English curriculum, World Poetry Day is a wonderful opportunity to engage your school in investigating and enjoying all types of poetry, from action rhymes for the youngest ones to narrative poetry for older ones.   Here is one of my poems for you to use to promote unity within your school. 


Building a rainbow 

People are like colours

In a rainbow up above
 

And when they work together

Their rainbow’s made from love.
 

Each strand can be a friendship

Each hand can hold you tight.
 

Each colour blends with others

To make a rainbow bright.

 

© Brenda Williams

Tuesday 8 March 2016

World Book Day

On the recent ‘World Book Day’, I was invited to a lovely Pre-School to read one of my books to children. It was a small group of lively boys and girls between three and four years of age.

I decided to read them ‘A Thumping Great Rabbit’, and was delighted to find them an attentive and interactive group, with plenty of questions both during and after the story.

When I was teaching, I loved using stories as an introduction to a wide range of linked curriculum activities, so I feel slightly at a loss now, when I leave this to their teachers. This story, about a very noisy rabbit, is set in a woodland, which naturally offers opportunities for discussing different animals, but wrapped up in it are also hints about the preservation of woodland environments, and the dangers of drought and fire to many creatures. I am quite sure that their teachers will have loads of ideas of how to continue the learning process, and this I think is so important.

In the evening, on television, I caught an enquiry about the value of dressing up for World Book Day and I assumed the implication was that it was not of educational value. What a pity it would be if we could not keep ‘fun’ in our Early Years curriculum!

Yes, as a parent I can see the problem, if your little darling tells you at bedtime, that they must be dressed up as a Gruffalo for school next day, but there is a fair chance that you may have received a letter about it sometime earlier.

And of course, it should never become a competition amongst parents to produce the best outfit!

Sometimes the simplest is the best. I once had a child in my class who arrived dressed as a ‘Tin Man’ with metal saucepans, colanders and frying pans tied on to her with string, and rattling with every movement. It was impressive, but the poor child could not even sit down in her outfit!

However, if such days introduce children to a range of different books, and the shared fun of linked activities, it is certainly educational.

- Brenda