How does this work in practice?
Students in KS3 choose, and change, their reading books during their regular lessons in the school library. The book is issued to them and forms part of their school equipment. This means that they always have a book to read:
- During their weekly literacy lessons, which take place away from the Library.
- Every day during Period 5 for 10 minutes.
- At any other appropriate point in the school day, for example at social times.
- At home.
Please support your child by making sure they have their book with them in their school bag. It is vital that they bring their reading book with them every day.
Reading at home
How you can support your child
- Let your child choose what to read, rather than choosing what you think they should read. If they want to re-read a book, or series of books, or stick with a type of book (e.g. horror) then let them.
- Encourage your child to read magazines, comics, newspapers and the internet, as well as books.
- Find things they can read that fit with their interests, or a shared interest.
- Make time to read together if you can.
- Ask them to read to you.
- Take turns to read to each other. If they find reading difficult, they can start off with a paragraph and build up to a whole page and then a chapter.
- Read to them. Even when your child is in secondary school this may be something they enjoy, and it will help their own reading to have a role model at home.
- Buy books as presents. Don’t forget TV tie-ins and books about interests such as games or music.
If you’re not a confident reader yourself…
- talk to your child about what they are reading. Ask them questions. Have things in the house (magazines, newspapers) that they can read and tell you about.
- listen to audiobooks together. If you join your local library you will be able to borrow these online, but there are lots available for free on YouTube.
REMEMBER: Let them enjoy their reading, take an interest in what they are reading and try and find at least 10 minutes during the day to support them.
Since beginning the Accelerated Reader programme, many of our students have become ‘word millionaires’, reading more than a million words across a range of books. ALL students are capable of achieving this amazing target while building crucial skills for life and maximising their chances of great results at the end of their school career.
“These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.” - Roald Dahl
"If you don’t like to read, you haven’t found the right book.” - J.K. Rowling
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The person who never reads lives only one.” - George R.R. Martin