Thornton-Le-Dale Care Home Residents Receive Creative Poetry From Local Primary School

Pupils at Thornton Dale Primary School have sent video-poetry to residents from The Hall residential care home.

In response to a video of poetry that residents at The Hall sent to the children while they celebrated their poetry week from home, the year two pupils have recorded themselves performing their own poetry.

The six- and seven-year olds were given the title of “The Last Tiger” and were asked to make up a poem to describe the jungle giant. Once written, pupils’ parents filmed them performing their poems, including descriptions of “gold glittery eyes” and “speed like a cheetah” and costumes representing the big cat.

Residents at The Hall relish their connection with Thornton Dale Primary students and have continued to strengthen this relationship virtually throughout the pandemic. This poetry project aims to recreate a sense of grandparents and grandchildren reading to each other, by creating videos that can be watched and made at home.

Danielle Collins, teacher at Thornton Dale Primary School, said: “The pupils were inspired to perform their own poetry after receiving the surprise video from the residents during their learning at home. The children in year 2 really cherish their connection with The Hall and they can’t wait until they can see the residents in person again.”

Nicky Beach, manager at The Hall, said: “Our residents love connecting with Thornton Dale Primary and watching the year two children perform their tiger poems was something that residents cherished.”