Cloud Busting: Puffin Poetry

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explain and discuss their understanding of what they have read, including through formal presentations and debates, maintaining a focus on the topic and using notes where necessary Prepare children for the key themes of the story by discussing their ideas of belonging and times when they have felt the need to conform. Warm thinking up with open questions such as, “Is it important to fit in?” and “Do we all see things in the same way?” Have children think about other stories from books, television and film where “difference” defines a character and marks them out for bullying, for greatness, or maybe both. What actually happened was Sam Cloud Busting alone. Davey, telling no one, slipped away and left Sam alone thinking hard.

This chapter not only exemplifies Haiku; it even explains the five – seven –five syllable pattern, “a pure, paced rhythm…....so let your mind soar.” Sam’s Haiku for Davey is powerful partly because it is so simple: compacted, concentrated emotion. First allow children to talk about people, pets or experiences that they love or have loved; support their development of content, then help with vocabulary choices that will meet the syllable requirement of a Haiku. Davey and Sam should have gone to the park to go Cloud Busting together and become best friends again, this time not in secret. They can't see themselves in the mirror, so they don't know how beautiful they are. But no one can see them but you and me. The novel won the Nestlé Children's Book Prize Silver Award [1] and was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. [2] Plot [ edit ] This story shows how important it is for people to have friends who care about them even if those friends have different beliefs than yours do—and what happens when those friendships don't work out because of something else.Cloud Busting is a captivating story about one of the harshest aspects of school life for many children – the painful, destructive act of bullying. This story features Sam, the bully and Davey, his victim as the main characters. As is the case in most such situations, Sam is not short of supporters and Davey’s suffering is the sort that would tug at many hearts. This is very much a tale of emotions: pain, fear, confidence at both extremes of the spectrum, the blush of a schoolboy crush and - after a period of reflection induced by a potentially life threatening incident - finally, regret on the bully’s part. increasing their familiarity with a wide range of books, including myths, legends and traditional stories, modern fiction, fiction from our literary heritage, and books from other cultures and traditions

The Angel of Nitshill Road by Anne Fine – another story of bullying and difference, but this time with a savvy saviour…This text follows the relationship of Sam and Davey, where they have a complex friendship. The text considers themes such as friendship and kindness, but also of bullying. It also considers issues such as allergies and could help children to recognise the seriousness of allergies and also raise awareness on what to do if someone suffers from a reaction, as I feel there will always be at least one child in a school who may require an epi-pen.

Throughout these six lessons, your class will become familiar with the main characters in the story. They will infer Sam and Davey's thoughts and feelings, and express this through poetry, diary entries, drama and discussion. Children will make predictions based on their knowledge and understanding of the story, and explore how different characters react to the same event. They will analyse both how and why Sam and Davey change throughout the book, and link this to the themes of bullying, friendship and conformity. Many scenes in the book lend themselves to exploration through dramatic reconstruction, or even just freeze-framing. Try a conscience corridor/ decision alley to examine Sam’s decision not to chase after Davey in Chapter 11: Davey’s capacity to perceive the world in a multi-sensory way is one of the talents he passes to Sam. For example, favourite food becomes “…daydreams in your mouth…Or wishes down your throat…” Discuss everyday items and experiences, or use photos of familiar places, and help children develop their use of metaphor by exploring senses and linking one positive idea with another: a delicious taste is wonderful, as are star beams, so favourite food could become “star beams on your tongue”. You can’t taste a star beam; you see it – the effect is achieved by mixing sensory experiences, and it takes a great deal of imagination. As Sam finds, it’s hard at first, but improves with exercise. Connecting the curriculum Sam makes an almost lethal mistake, and then regrets it. What does he learn? Why are mistakes important? Many scenes in the book lend themselves to exploration through dramatic reconstruction, or even just freezeframing.In conclusion… Cloud Busting describes a life-changing experience, and could be a life-changing book. Questions that will be worthy of deeper discussion may include: discuss and evaluate how authors use language, including figurative language, considering the impact on the reader Davey, or 'Fizzy Feet', is a new boy. Everyone hates him. He has holes in his jumper, and strange ideas fill his mind. Sam, the school bully, makes fun of him. He dislikes Davey at least as much as everyone else until Davey saves his life by pulling him from in front of a speeding vehicle. The two soon become friends. Musing on the title of the book itself will rouse children’s imaginations: What is Cloud Busting? Piecing together all clues from the cover and blurb, children are likely to infer the meaning of the phrase in physical terms, and may also be able to offer an hypothesis as to its metaphorical meaning – its hint at the opposing themes of conformity and imagination; friendship versus bullying. Cloud Busting offers an embarrassment of riches when it comes to writing responses; below is a sprinkling of possibilities:

Having delved into his conscience, recreate the scene with Sam, Alex and Davey in simple freeze-frame, and have children suggest the thoughts going through each character’s mind. Take suggestions, too, on body language for each boy at that dreadful moment. Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2021-09-14 11:09:23 Bookplateleaf 0004 Boxid IA40235021 Camera USB PTP Class Camera Collection_set printdisabled External-identifierCloud Busting is a story about Dave who is a new student in the school who stays few doors away from Sam’s house and Sam who is a bully. It is a well-written, easy-to-read tale written in poetic form. It is a story about friendship, emotions, love, and bullying and peer pressure. I found the characters very believable, especially Dave and Sam themselves. They're not perfect but they're still likable characters who are easy to relate to on some level—even if you don't identify with them 100%. Have children generate their own questions, and explore them independently and with adult facilitation. Should Philosophy for Children be encouraged in your school, Cloud Busting offers plenty upon which to ponder.