LAMDA LESSONS NOW ON ZOOM!

Due to the current situation regarding Covid, I have moved all lessons online. They're proving a real hit with pupils and parents. I do have some spaces left from Autumn 2020. Remember, you can be one of my pupils from anywhere in the world as long as you're able to connect to Zoom or Teams or Skype. Groups welcome.  Contact me for details.

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Dear  Children/Teachers/Parents,

With set poems included on the LAMDA syllabus and chosen for International Festivals, my work is regularly performed all over the world.

I am also a qualified and very experienced Speech and Drama teacher who can teach your child with Zoom or come to your school.

if your school doesn't already have a teacher like me. All Examining Boards taught.

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A special note for children!

Good luck from me if you are learning to recite my poems for an exam/performance. One special tip from me is to smile when you walk into the room/see your Examiner online. It's a big thing to try to do do when you're feeling anxious, but have a go. It not only makes the Examiners' day when this happens, it's like taking a little bit of magic for good luck with you, because it really will help you to feel less nervous and more relaxed before you even begin. 'Smiling is underrated!' 

Below are just a few of my poems published in various anthologies , because you will be asked what other poems I have written.

And as you're also expected to know a little about your poets/authors, here are a few fun facts about me, so you have all your exam information.

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Fun Fact 1:  I always wrote stories and poems as a child. I had my first poem published when I was 10. Fun Fact 2: My favourite vegetables are all the green ones! Even Brussel sprouts! My favourite fruits are the dark ones, blackberries and blueberries. I eat so many I should look like them! Fun Fact 3: I once touched one of The Queen's ballgowns on display at Buckingham Palace when we had a tour. I really shouldn't have, I know, but they were quite polite when they told me off....! I wasn't young like you, either, so I should have known better! Fun Fact 4: I also write plays and stories. Books: My own collection of poetry for children 7-11 will be published with Otter-Barry Books in 2022, so watch out for that! I am especially pleased because many of my favourite poets like Rachel Rooney, James Carter, Brian Moses, Roger Stevens and Roger McGough are published with Otter-Barry Books, too.

Here are some of my other poems including the ones you will need for your Exam.

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 Step Dad

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My Step Dad takes me to the park

He pushes me on the swing

And chats to me as we sit on the bench

About life and everything.

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He says he really loves my Mum

And he really loves me too

And asks what I'd like for tea tonight

And if sausage and mash will do.

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My Step Dad takes me to the park

We play as time flies by

My Step Dad is my second Dad

How lucky, how lucky am I?

 

(Published in Poems about Families, edited by Brian Moses, Published by Wayland Hodder)

Also published in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Volume 19. 

My Puppy

 

My puppy is so naughty

He always runs away

He never hears me when I call

Or stops when I say 'STAY!'

 

The only time he listens

And stops tearing down the street

Is when he hears his favourite word

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TREAT!

TREAT!!

TREAT!!!

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(Published in 'Off By Heart' edited by Roger Stevens, A&C Black)

Also published in the LAMDA Verse and Prose Anthology Volume 19.

A Star Called Christa

 

There is an asteroid named Christa

And a crater on the moon

In memory of a teacher

Who lost her life too soon.

 

Christa was so excited

To have won the coveted place

The first U.S. civilian

To venture into space

 

Millions of children watched in schools

Millions of children cried

As seventy-three seconds after launch

The dream that was hers had died

 

There must be a star called Christa

A star that will never die

Beaming a ray of love and hope

To dreamers like you and I.

 

(In Memory of Christa McAuliffe who died on the Challenger Space Shuttle Mission on January 28th 1986. Chosen by James Carter and Brian Moses for 'Space Out' published by Bloomsbury)

Mr Snowman                                                            

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Monday built our Snowman                                

Sitting proud and fat

Tuesday gave him a football scarf

And the warmest woolly hat

Wednesday gave him his button eyes

Thursday a carrot nose

Friday gave him sticks for arms

And Saturday more clothes

But Sunday gave bad weather

The sky began to cry

Sunday took our Snowman

We never said goodbye.

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(Published in 'Poems about The Seasons' edited by Brian Moses, Published by Wayland- Hodder)

Shells

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White ones

Pink ones

Rough and smooth and shiny ones,

Big ones

Small ones

Long and thin and tiny ones

Dust off the sand!

Wash them in the sea!

A bucket full of memories

Coming home with me.

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(Published in 'Poems about the Seaside'

published by Wayland-Hodder, edited by Brian Moses.)

How NOT to Impersonate your Mum on the Telephone

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Swimming

The worst day of the week

Mum refused to write a note

So...

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I practised in the mirror

The facial expression

That high pitched screeching whine

'My Benjamin is so ill today!'

'My Benjamin has such a fever!"

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I looked like Mum

I sounded like Mum

I was Mum!

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So...

Picked up the telephone...

Dialled the number...

Deep breath and...

'Hello!

This is my Mum speaking!"

Oops!

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( Published in 'I Bet I Can Make You Laugh' by Bloomsbury, edited by Joshua Seigal)

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