Some Ideas for Promoting Reading for Enjoyment in Schools Literacy Association of Ireland Cumann Litearthachta na hÉireann

Promoting Reading for Enjoyment Book Clubs Assemblies Book of the week Library/ book corner Read Aloud DEAR time Engage and support parents ICT

Book Clubs In-Class Book Club: Children get into 3 or 4 groups within the class, decide on a book to read and discuss in the club. Library can facilitate, give multiple copies of books chosen. Inter-class Book Club: after they have learned to work in clubs, consider working with another class at year level or another class from your house

Assemblies House captains or class representatives discuss/promote their favourite book(s) or author at assembly. Principal picks a book or two to ‘sell’ at assembly, explaining why she/he liked the particular book etc, then asks who’d like to read it. Get weekly volunteers to review books at assemblies Author/Poet visit Desert Island reads

Book of the week / Book Displays On the school website – one class from each year group prepare a short book of the week review with images e.g 6th class book of the week … Recommended reads notice board – in-class or outside classroom to create reading atmosphere. Could use post–it note style review Noticeboard in the hall with pictures & titles of recommended reads. Twitter type review – 140 characters The Primary Planet Newspaper – send reviews

Library / Book Corner Spruce up the class libraries, make them more inviting. Pick a few books per week to discuss – sell these books to the class, ‘Bless the books’. Library visit – call ahead and ask for assistance of librarian to work with reluctant readers Library/ book corner

Read Aloud Make time for teacher read aloud in your class Read to children for sheer enjoyment Encourage dialogic discussion on text, not a question answer session Read different genres – picture books, information books, ebooks, novels, short stories, poetry e.t.c. Book box in staff room – with good read aloud books/stories

Teacher should read as well DEAR time DEAR Time – make the most of DEAR Time, should not be time for tidying round the classroom, correcting copies Teacher should read as well May not be every day, but should be for a significant period to allow children get into their books. Encourage children to bring in book of their choice

Engage and Support Parents Website reviews Newsletter – share news on what we are doing to promote reading in school Class celebrations – invite parents in to share some of the classes favourite books/stories, writing, poetry recitals. ‘Literacy Café’ idea P/T Meetings – story time in the hall, Volunteer readers read a story to waiting children in a corner of the hall. Book sale during the P/T Meetings. Engage and support parents

ICT Download ebooks or audio books from the Library and read/play in class during teacher read-aloud. Website, reading zone,blog If you have a class/school blog or twitter feed. Tweet updates of book that the class are enjoying or other literacy news