To support families on and around 16th July we’re seeking to highlight that being a reader involves more than reading fiction books! We find pleasure in a multitude of texts. We’ve three initiatives, thanks to TRG Leaders Laura Dobson, Danni Cooke, Lisa Hesmondhalgh, Clare McGreevy, Ben Harris, Debbie Thomas, Rich Charlesworth, Petula Bhojwani, Claire Williams, and Sadie Philips.

Do you want to help to widen the concept of reading? Then invite your children and families to do the OU Treasure Hunt and become Reading Detectives, hunting out advertising, Top Trumps, comics, reading that makes them laugh or is precious and share these on/offline with each other #Reading Treasure. It’ll be fun and a change from the family quiz or use it for transition to get to know your new readers!

This video profiles ten ace authors sharing what they’re reading that isn’t fiction! Guess who is joining us? Do join in and tweet what you or your class are reading in response. Poetry, magazines, books, Facebook, manuals, recipes, newspapers - whatever - let’s showcase reading in all its diversity!

A fun Summer Adventure for all ages that anyone, anywhere can join in. You could send children home for the summer with a copy to entice them to go on a #OUReadingAdventure and share this with the class in September? Our thanks to Sadie Philipps!

This new one has been designed by the Plymouth OU/UKLA Teachers Reading Group! Ace work - thanks! It’s an invitation to engage and share your love of reading alongside the children! Don’t forget! Prizes for most engaging student teacher ones uploaded.

We’ve been trending nearly every week! Do join in the last 3 in this 10-part series led by ace pairs of TRG leaders and Higher Education Partners! Tuesdays 8-9 pm, focused on widening repertoire and enriching RfP pedagogy!

This free online book is uplifting and inspiring. It’s written by Smriti Hallas and illustrated by David Litchfield. Not one to miss, thanks Walker Books!

Ben, a Y6 teacher, discusses the ways in which he ensured children continued to access quality Read-Alouds during lockdown. He explores some of the interesting effects of reading aloud on children’s emotional wellbeing, showing in particular how it supports the ‘Three Rs’, Reassurance, Recovery and Relaxation.

Clare’s details how she maintained her school’s social reading environment during lockdown and enhanced reciprocal reading communities with families and teachers. The staff created an online library - the ‘virtual snug’ on their website and added video clips of authors and teachers reading aloud. A half-termly RfP newsletter also encouraged families to get involved.

Hannah, a secondary English teacher, documents how she applied the TaRs research findings to promote RfP in KS3. Her example demonstrates how developing her own knowledge of children and young peoples’ literature and other texts, positioning herself as a reader and raising the profile of reading purely for pleasure in English lessons had a positive impact on the students’ perceptions and engagement.

It has been a real pleasure in these uncertain times to continue with our Teachers As Readers book club, discussing books has been a real comfort to us all. We have come together to discuss both adult and children’s literature and how we have found reading for pleasure during the lockdown. 

I’ve been so impressed by our members- undaunted, they’ve found new ways to develop their practice and subject knowledge virtually.  Recording videos, building communities via Google classrooms, sharing interactive reading display ideas on Padlet and compiling read aloud YouTube lists! Members have shown dedication, resilience and perseverance to ensure that reading is Learner-led, Informal, Social and with Texts that tempt.

Sally Gardner, an author and an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, is working to change the way it is perceived by society. Check her work out here.

Karl Duke, a Headteacher from Lincolnshire is passionate about creating a curriculum driven by high quality texts - both picture book and novel - to promote reading and inspire learning for all.