Primary schools and children learning at home during lockdown are being invited to an online Giant Poetry Party on Tuesday 26 January starting at 2pm. Poets Matt Abbott and Louise Fazackerley, assisted by dance teacher Olivia Peers, music teacher Richard Boardman, and singer Jo Farrow will lead children from all over the country in a mix of songs, dance, and poetry, in an event organised by Marsden the Poetry Village, Young Write Out Loud, and Lily Lane primary school, in Moston, Manchester.

The theme for the event will be ‘Hear us sing’, chosen because for the past nine months, the organisers say, “we have been discouraged from singing. We want children’s voices to be heard.” Families can turn up on the day or use the video resources made available before the event to learn a poem, a song, a dance or some homemade samba percussion. The event will be streamed live on Write Out Loud’s Facebook page on Tuesday. There is also a YouTube link on the day. Here is an introductory video, and the teaching videos, including a poem to learn and join in with ; a song to learn; a dance to learn; and a kitchen utensils percussion piece to practise.

The organisers also say: “If you have any amazing artwork of homes/local area, rainbow patterns or pictures of birds please email them over ASAP and your children’s artwork will be part of the event. Send to admin@lilylane.manchester.sch.uk up until 2.00 pm on Monday.”