Reading for Pleasure News – June

Have you seen our new Independent Reading poster?

Independent reading is an essential part of RfP pedagogy – dedicated time for children to choose, read and engage with their favourite texts. Download this free poster for your next staff meeting or parent event. You might also like to investigate our other Independent Reading CPD materials.

Exploring the link between vocabulary and RfP

OU RfP team member Kelly Ashley challenges us to think about the links between vocabulary learning and RfP. In this playful article for NATE Primary Matters, she offers suggestions for navigating the maze of vocabulary development and highlights the core role of RfP as the power boost in language learning.

The Island of Brilliant – Podcast with Frank Cottrell-Boyce & Nadia Shireen

If you were stranded on an island, which books would be your must-haves? This monthly podcast with authors Frank and Nadia offers listeners an opportunity to hear about what’s new in the world of children’s publishing - a glorious romp of recommendations at the ready!

‘Family Bookworms’ website for reading recommendations

Are you looking for new reading inspiration? Simon Fisher and his family of bookworms, based on the Wrexham/ Shropshire borders, have complied recommendations on their friendly website, championing the work of children’s authors and publishers from Wales.

Planning Your Literacy Year – Free online calendar from Literacy Hive

Whether you are planning your literacy curriculum for this term or looking ahead to the new academic year, Literacy Hive’s free online calendar offers a month-by-month guide to the opportunities available to help engage your young readers and writers. Each entry comes with links to supporting resources and relevant booklists so you can find everything you need all in one place.

Author in the Spotlight: Tanya Landman

Carnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of 40+ books for children and young adults. Best known for her historical YA thrillers, her recent book One Shot is inspired by the early life of sharpshooter Annie Oakley, winning the Scottish Teenage Book Prize 2020.

Reading Schools Programme participants were in for a treat this week when one of our favourite picture book authors, Wendy Meddour, joined delegates online. What a joyful way to celebrate the great work that participating schools are doing to boost RfP for all their pupils, whilst having time and space to extoll the virtues of author visits.

Ely Cambridge TRG - Update from Kathryn Brereton

The Ely, Cambridge TRG has been going strong for the past 4 years. Members are currently working on developing pupil voice, improving home-school involvement and widening book collections. We enjoyed sharing this reading scrapbook from TRG member Nicola Bodnar, Sutton C of E Primary School.

Scottish Borders TRG - Update from Emma McGilp

Our new TRG in the Scottish Borders loves coming together to share our passion for promoting RfP. In our recent meeting, we discussed non-fiction and how we, as teachers, can value it more through our library and classroom displays and modelling to children and their families.

Land of our Authors by Jo Bowers and Simon Fisher

With its focus on literature, the renewed curriculum for Wales encourages children to ‘experience and respond to literature that gives them insight into the culture, people and history of Wales, as well as the wider world.’ This wonderful example of practice offers a compilation of Welsh authors, illustrators and poets that will inspire you to broaden your repertoire.

Whole-Schooled in Reading Matters by Susan Brownlie

TRG leader, secondary English teacher and RfP lead Susan Brownlie shares how staff from St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire have developed a whole school approach to RfP. From book clubs to developing social spaces, this is a valuable read for any secondary colleagues interested in developing a RfP culture.

Reading Aloud: Children’s Attitudes toward being read to at home and school

This engaging read enables us to listen to the opinions of Australian children about being read to. They value the experience and offer predominantly affective reasons for their engagement. Indeed, 79% want more read aloud, but, as Susan Ledger and Margaret Merga highlight, this is not without challenges for teachers and parents.