The
Prizes aim to encourage young people to gain insights into their own
lives and the lives of other people through their writing. They offer
young people the chance to meet peers from different cultures, establishing
lasting friendships through an understanding of each other's lives
and pre-occupations.
THE PUSHKIN PRIZES AND THE CURRICULUM
by Pauline de Koning, English teacher, Banchory Academy and teacher
of 2002 prize-winner
Despite a busy curriculum with
its emphasis on interpretation, reading and functional writing,
it is well worth taking time to develop pupils' creative writing
skills and the writing stimulated by The Pushkin Prizes competition
will stand pupils in good stead as they progress in their English
studies.
Writing for the Pushkin Prizes
allows practice in effective language use, suitable twists in short
stories, well-constructed story lines, and of course, clear setting
in time and place - assessment criteria which are often the more
difficult ones for pupils to achieve.
Working towards a folio will
familiarise S1 and 2 pupils with the concept of building a body
of work from which the best pieces are chosen. Standard Grade or
Intermediate 1 will be a natural progression if the class has already
been working for the Pushkin Prizes. What better way to gain an
understanding of the writer's craft than by experimenting with writing
yourself?
There are many ways in which
the Pushkin Prizes can support and complement the curriculum and
of course, there is always the possibility that one of your pupils
will win the fantastic opportunity to study creative writing with
professional writers at Moniack Mhor. And you might get the chance
to go with them - as I did!
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