Alan Gibbons
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Alan Gibbons is a recommended author on the English KS3 list.
Alan Gibbons is a recommended author on the
Alan Gibbons has won a Blue Peter book award and six other awards and has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie and Booktrust Teenage Prizes. His other shortlistings are too numerous to mention.
Alan Gibbons has been author in residence in Knowsley, Hong Kong,
Alan Gibbons has been an author in residence at the National Gallery.
Alan Gibbons has poetry on display at the
Alan Gibbons has visited many International Schools.
Alan Gibbons has teaching experience of Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (ages 4-16) and has worked as a writer with Sixth Form, university students and teachers.
What does Alan do?
Alan has three kinds of activity:
Author talk. This involves Alan giving a 35-40 minute talk about his work, how he got started, themes, etc. There is no need for any equipment, though it might be an idea to have a laptop and projector in the hall to show Alan’s Blog and website. This activity is a ‘stand-up’ session with plenty of anecdotes. There is then time for a 10-20 minute question and answer session and, if possible, book-signing. Total duration: 50-60 minutes. Obviously, it helps if the youngsters have read something by him and if there has been some discussion of the kind of issues they would like to discuss.
Writing workshop
Alan has a bank of writing activities for KS1, 2 and 3. He will work on fiction, non-fiction or poetry. Some examples:
A ghost story
An adventure story
A fantasy story
A science fiction story
Writing instructions
Biography/autobiography
Newspaper reports
List poems
Nature poetry
Alan looks at various features of text. In fiction this might be narrative tension, dialogue, description, characterisation or internal monologue. In poetry it might be line length, rhyme, assonance or rhythm. In non-fiction it might be addressing the reader directly, organizing material, bullet pointing, etc. Sessions are usually 50 or 60 minutes but can be longer, particularly with more able pupils. Alan will tailor sessions to the particular needs of the group. There should always be a member of staff present. Amazingly, in spite of the current climate of strong attention to child protection, there are still one or two schools left who will leave a visitor to their own devices.
This works best with a laptop and projector, using Word, so Alan can model text to help the pupils develop their writing. Alan will publish some of the best work on his Blog:
You will find lots of examples on the Blog from the
Teach Me textbooks
There are three textbooks to accompany and follow up Alan’s work with the youngsters. These feature an overview of the ‘scaffolding’ technique that underpins the books, diagrams, step-by-step instructions and samples of children’s work and are useful for follow up.
Order from:
Teach me to write fiction (Nash Pollock Publishers)
ISBN 1 898255 45 8. £12.99.
Teach me to write poetry (Nash Pollock Publishers)
ISBN 1 898255 46. £12.99.
Teach me to write non fiction (Nash Pollock Publishers)
ISBN 1 898255 47 4. £12.99.
Orders should be placed with:
Telephone: 01904 431213
Alan’s poems can be downloaded free from the same website.
INSET
Alan has led teacher-training sessions all over the
He leads sessions on:
The literate classroom
The trouble with boys
Writing across the curriculum
Bookselling
Book-ownership is an important aspect of literacy. Organising an author visit without arranging book sales is only exploiting a small part of the opportunities it offers. It is best if the school/library/conference can order its own stock of books. You can order Alan’s books from your local provider or ask Waterstone’s, Border’s, Peter’s, Askew’s and the many good quality independent bookshops (that urgently need support to survive and give an independent voice in the market) are usually helpful. Alan’s supplier is:
Littlehampton Book Services Limited,
Faraday Close,
Durrington,
BN13 3RB.
Orders, email: orders@lbsltd.co.uk (LBS will need the ISBNs which are on Alan’s website or on Amazon)
Telephone: 01903828801
In case of difficulties, Alan can bring copies with him. He will sign any copies sold. Alan also has a stock of adhesive book plates. If schools order after the event, he will post signed bookplates for readers.
It helps to have a rough idea of the number of books needed and to give somebody the job of collecting the money on the day so Alan can concentrate on signing and talking to the pupils.
It works best if the pupils are told well in advance that they need to bring money, then get a reminder the day before. A leaflet is included at the end of this document.
Autographs are OK so long as it is youngsters with autograph books. Signing 200 scraps of paper doesn’t add much to the literacy experience and uses up time which could be more usefully employed. It also stops Alan getting any lunch!
Requirements
Don’t forget the little details:
Send directions a few days in advance. Alan’s car has satellite navigation so a postal address is usually enough. It does help to mention any particular difficulties of access e.g. a hidden turning or an entrance, which doesn’t match the postal address of the venue. What’s more, some bigger cities and towns have several roads with the same name. It helps to identify which one.
Organize some lunch. Writers do eat even if it is only to chew the linoleum in their garret. Alan’s only dietary need is to avoid mayonnaise, Branston or Piccalilli in sandwiches! Long live the great British butty, not some freakish concoction slathered in gunk.
Ensure sufficient staff are present. A handful of authors have been left alone with pupils. This is highly unprofessional. Teachers shouldn’t mark books during sessions. It sends a very poor message to the children. It is the sign of a good school that staff join in the activities rather than looking on in a detached manner. A reading child is a successful child and this is the National Year of Reading.
Have the kettle on. After a long drive, a nice cup of tea ensures an alert and contented writer.
Publicity materials
Posters and show cards are available. Contact:
Kate.christer@orionbooks.co.uk
Jo.williamson@orionbooks.co.uk
Timing
When drawing up a timetable keep in mind that Alan will sometimes have a long drive home after the day in school. He will always arrive early and is proud of the fact that he has never been late since becoming a published writer in 1990. He has only ever postponed a visit due to family bereavements or serious illness. He takes the responsibility of providing a service seriously. If it is possible for him to get away before the end of the school day to beat the motorway jams, particularly in the congested South East, it would be appreciated. Being gridlocked on the M25 or M6 during the rush hour is hardly the most inspiring way to end a good day.
Security
Alan was a classroom teacher for eighteen years. Eleven years were with KS1, four years with KS2 and three years with KS3. He has an enhanced CRB certificate (disclosure number: 001066952748) and has indemnity insurance to the value of five million pounds. He is registered with the General Teaching Council and a member of the Society of Authors, the National Association of Writers in Education and the National Union of Teachers.
That doesn’t mean, because he has a teaching qualification, he should be used as glorified supply cover and left alone with 300 youngsters in the hall. (It has happened!)
Photographs and video: Alan has no objection. Why not post the photos on his Blog to raise the profile of the visit.
Here’s looking forward to a good day!
