A Flavour of Smelly Troll School Activities
For the benefit of teachers who may be considering reading The Troll Trap with their junior class, here are some highlights from past troll-related school work:
Short Stories
A year 5 class created their own collection of smelly troll stories. In September the children will receive paperback and eBook copies of their professionally produced book. I supported this project by email and am keen to help other schools with creative writing projects.
The cover of a book by a year 5 class
Troll Description Creative Writing Exercise
"The creature was built like a giant potato, with hair of a hippopotamus. His toenails ripped the tiles on the roof as he climbed, because each one was as sharp as a windmill point. " - Jaden, aged 10.
A junior class engaged in an activity whereby they made salt clay trolls and then described them in the style of a smelly troll book. They then typed them up and sent them to me by email. I sent back individual feedback. This resulted in the children deciding to write their own stories.
Salt clay trolls used to inspire a creative writing exercise
Interviews with Trolls
Ladygrove Park Primary School in Didcot were one of several classes to interview characters from the book. Teachers collected questions from pupils and sent them to me by email. I replied as characters from the books.
Troll-Inspired Dance
A year 5 class at Penryn Junior school took their troll dance to Trelissick Gardens as part of the Festival of Landscape and Dance. I went to the event and met the class, which was a very enjoyable experience.
Troll-inspired Dance
Illustrations in the Style of a Professional Children's Author
Katie W. Stewart, who illustrates the Smelly Troll series has created an excellent worksheet on how to draw the perfect troll. Teachers have used this to guide classes on creating illustrations to accompany their written work.
A troll by Aliya, aged 10, drawn in the style of professional children's author, Katie W. Stewart
Classroom Display and Assembly
At least one class who've worked with the book has made displays and presented their work to the rest of their school in assembly. I'm always delighted to receive photos of such displays and occasions.
A display of troll-related classwork
Letter Exchanges
I am always happy to reply to letters from schoolchildren. In the past I've replied to questions, suggestions for future books and photos.
An example start to a reply to a letter from a junior school class
A Touch of Trolls (again)
A proud teacher with the proof copy of her class's work
For more information on school participation see my schools section.
I also have a fresh batch of promotional copies to donate to schools either for your library or classwork. See post on book donations.
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