We
didn’t expect the visiting author to be a scientist who would wow us with his experiments and creations
all in the name of linking the forces of science to the idea of how to
construct a book that will engage a reluctant reader from hook to climatic
ending. Des Hunt wonderfully engaged the senior children with his unique blend of science and storytelling.
This involved a fictional "Nuclear Fusion" machine that blew up a
balloon, while suspense grew in the room – before it burst (like the climax of a good
story)… There was a fly zapper that was heated with a "ray-gun" (hairdryer) so
that a flimsy metallic shape inflated and floated, all through the force of
repulsion. Characters either get on well, or they don’t, and this was expressed
via the scientific forces of repulsion and attraction.
A reluctant reader
(metal ball), was drawn along a long channel via the use of three
strategically placed magnets (the hook, the development of the story and the
climax) before it knocked a plastic ball flying to a gong, held by a somewhat
nervous student.
Des taught chemistry and physics for 30 years and wrote textbooks in that area before taking on the challenge of writing fiction. The
senior children are well acquainted with his exciting adventure stories
as we have novel sets of Cry of the Taniwha and Whale Pot Bay, and many of the
senior teachers have been reading his novels to their classes prior to his
visit. Many of his books are in the school library and I have purchased a few
more at a special price yesterday. Thank-you Des for a really inspiring day!
Please return books:
I am taking my family on a long-awaited holiday to see family overseas and my last day will be 24th June. I will be back the first day of term 3. Please encourage your children to return all library books next week so that I can shelve them before I go. The library will be closed at lunchtimes for the last two weeks. I encourage keen readers to get books out from the Auckland Council libraries and the library bus.
Mobile library bus:
The mobile library bus will be at school on 20th June and 4th July. Please remind your child to bring their Auckland Library card if they want to issue a book.
