Kane Crookes

As a published poet, I’d say bringing creativity to lessons helps students in the best ways that are possible, by bringing new and fresh perspectives. What do I mean by this? When teaching a poem, I like to challenge the students’ initial train of thought by repetitively asking questions. Doing this helps students go beyond the superficial. It’s important as there are so many ways we can manipulate language, which I’ve learned throughout my time at university. If you’re a GCSE student, I would suggest you to look at ‘paper’ in the poem ‘Poppies’ – yes, paper is a noun, but could it be a metonym for letter? It also acts as an adjective for the following colour.

At university, I’ve acknowledged that there is no perfect way to write; that said, though, an archaic writing style can make your writing look more polished. [Example: ‘silver wrapping paper that I cut a circle out of’ – ‘silver wrapping paper out of which I cut a circle’] I would be delighted to help you achieve this style of writing. To change some of your thats to a which – and move back your prepositions. In the contemporary, we seem to write in ways that are more conversational, as (for) there are many nuances to expression. Although, it can be good in certain writings, as, for example, you wouldn’t write ‘into whom she fell’ in a contemporary romance novel. Then again, you could! This isn’t taught much about in schools, though you will see this style of writing in many Victorian novels – it’s certainly in Jekyll and Hyde! And talented Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Throughout my third year of bachelors, I released two collections, ‘Blooming Us’ and ‘Piano Keys out of Breath’, both of which are written in free verse and haiku forms. Additionally, I tutored a GCSE student just before her mock examinations, in which she went from a grade 4/5 to a 7 in both Language and Literature. I’d like to hope the dynamics of my lessons are stimulating. In the lessons, I would get students to write paragraphs in front of me so I can get a raw sense of the ways in which they write. Another reason is that I can easily acknowledge the areas on which they need to improve. Whether it be online or in-person, I aim to help students get what they need to thrive.

~ Kane