Michael de Souza - Writing
Michael
De Souza
AIM High Writing
Summary
Age range 3 to 11 Years
Books Yes
DBS Checked Yes
Booking
Contact
+44 (0)1535 656015
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Michael is the creator of the much loved CBeebies character Rastamouse,.The award winning series has been screened in 108 countries world-wide!
About Michael
Michael came to England in 1960, when he left his native Trinidad to join his parents in Notting Hill, West London. He has spent most of the last 22 years teaching swimming. It was his love of teaching and working with children that inspired Michael to pursue a career in writing.
Michael is passionate about writing and story-telling and he especially enjoys working with KS1 as he believes this is the perfect time to introduce children to the ‘world of words’.
Michael’s AIM High Writing Days
Michael has created a fabulous day called ‘A Rhyme for our Time’. The objective of the day is to create some modern day rhymes in the style of the great, but dated, ones of old.
The day will start with Michael introducing himself. He will give a brief rundown of his career as a writer which will be followed by a short ice-breaking Q+A session. This is intended to get the students involved, get them talking and to allow them to get to know Michael a little more.
Session 1 -The day will kick off in earnest with a fast-paced exercise where Michael throws out words and the students reply with a rhyming word. This exercise is designed to gauge the student’s knowledge of rhyme. The group will then go on to explore the world of rhyme - including how to use words that have the correct meaning and sound right.
Session 2 - For the next session the students will be presented with four traditional Nursery Rhymes and asked to explore their construction.
The four Nursery Rhymes will be:
1) Humpty Dumpty
2) Mary had a Little Lamb
3) Hey Diddle Diddle
4) Yankie Doodle
The students will be asked to rewrite the rhymes using their own words, Michael has rewritten the above rhymes so the students will have a reference point for the exercise.
The students will get the opportunity to read out their work in front of their peers.
Session 3 - Michael will then read from one of his books in the Rastamouse series. Students will be asked to volunteer to play a character, and thus bring the story to life.
This exercise will demonstrate how rhyme can work in a story book.
Break for Lunch
Session 4 - The afternoon will start with Michael reading some fresh rhymes from his forthcoming rhyming book entitled ‘Get me Bruv’, introducing his new character - Lil Bruv.
The students will break into small groups to recite the rhymes and feel the flow of words.
Session 5 - The students will then be set their main task for the afternoon. The exercise will be to create modern rhymes, selecting from the following topics:
1) Mobile Phone
2) Chicken Nuggets
3) Text Talk
4) Flossing
Michael will work with the students to develop their ideas and refine their rhymes. Before the end of the day the students will get the opportunity to read their work to the group.
The students will have a unique piece of work to take back to their respective schools and homes.
This idea can be further developed in the classroom, and who knows, they may produce the next best-selling rhyming book! Rastamouse started life as a poem and is now an award winning TV show.
Michael will finish the day by reading from one of his books in his own unique style.
A Selection of Michael’s Books
Bookings
To book Michael De Souza please contact
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk
Michael also offers visits schools and other settings, click here for more information.