1. Reading Gladiators 2017-18 Year 4 Challenge
Readinggladiators.co.uk
@RGladiators
Nikki Gamble, Caroline Bradley

2. I’ve booked Reading Gladiators – what next?
18 July – introductory webinar links sent to registered schools
End of July – lead teachers enrolled on RG website: please let us know if additional group leaders need registering. We will need names and addresses to enrol them
End of July – discussion guide available online
Beginning of Autumn term – delivery of Reading Gladiators books, hard copies of discussion guide, Gladiator badges
This webinar outlines the Year 4 challenge for

3. In a nutshell…
Reading Gladiators is an annual reading challenge which is designed to develop adventurous reading choices and sustained reading for pleasure, purpose and understanding. The Year 4 programme provides opportunities for creative response and dialogue surrounding the deeper meaning and real world context of the stories included.

4. Reading Gladiators book choice
8 books chosen to take the children on a reading journey from the beginning to the end of year
Start with most accessible texts and work towards a more reflective read.
Focus on high quality writing and authors that are not the ‘usual suspects’
Emphasis on recently published books but with some familiarity
Year 4 programme includes a picture book choice to focus on visual literacy.

5. It’s all about the journey

6. 2017 – 18 Book Choice

7. ‘I had a parent thanking me for getting
her son to read books that he wouldn’t usually pick up.
The children are reading more and are enjoying
the discussion with their friends. A bit of positive peer
pressure works wonders!’
Clare Matthews, Rayne Primary School
“I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to work with my most able readers. The programme has also encouraged me to read a wider variety of books appropriate for my year group. It is true to say, that the benefits are not just for reading; I have noticed that exposure to high quality texts in Reading Gladiators has enabled children to transfer literary devices and effects in to their own writing. I feel we are seeing better cohesion, more adventurous vocabulary choices and an improved awareness of audience.”
Jane Baker Filton Avenue

8. The Reading Gladiators Session
The organisation of Reading Gladiators varies from school to school
Lesson time or reading club?
Length of session?
Number of sessions a week?
Who leads the session?
What works for you?

9. Supporting Discussion Guide
General guidance
Focus on high quality dialogue and discussion
Sustained reading between sessions
Organising and managing the group
Generic ideas for initiating and deepening discussion
Guides available online from the resources area of the website end of July
Hard copies sent with books early September

10. Supporting Discussion Guide
Book specific guidance
Reading rate
Introductory session
Middle sessions
Final session
Further reading suggestions
Mini-challenge outline

11. Key dates Key Dates Month Book Mini-challenge date Webinar October
Word of Mouse
20th October
12th September – Dialogue and discussion
November
Malkin Moonlight
24th November
10th October – making the most of the mini-challenges
December
Hurricane
15th December
28th November The Language of pictures
January
Little Bits of Sky
26th January
No webinar
February
Coming to England
2nd March
March
Wild Swans
29th March
20th March Storytelling
April
The Boy, the Bird and the Coffin Maker
11th May
May
The Goldfish Boy
15th June
June/July
Final challenge
Challenge Day dates and locations
tbc June/July

12. Mini-challenges Monthly mini challenges
Collaborative tasks designed to stimulate discussion and deepen understanding
Prizes – usually books or author related prizes
Optional – enter those that interest your Gladiators rather than feeling under pressure to enter every challenge
Some of our schools provide opportunities for children to work on the challenges outside the regular Gladiator sessions
Challenges are uploaded via the website – guidance will be sent at the beginning of September
Larger files e.g. films can be submitted via WeTransfer

13. Webinars There are 4 webinars for teachers in the year 4 programme
These are linked to different skills and aspects of development of the programme
They are optional. Reading Gladiators is effective without them, but they provide an excellent CPD opportunity and will help you get the most from the programme
Dates for the webinars are in your discussion guide

14. Teachers Online Book Group
We are running an online monthly book group where we will be talking about the Reading Gladiators books.
The book group is ideal for teachers who want to share thoughts and ideas about forthcoming books
You will be sent a link inviting you to join the first session in September

15. Website readinggladiators.org.uk
Teachers registered to the website by the 24th July
We will be requesting s for group leaders so they can be registered on the website
Group leaders will be sent login information
Additional resources mentioned in the guide are available when you login e.g. Powerpoints, activity cards, graphic organisers

16. Find Your School Select your school from the drop down menu
Selecting your school will take you to your challenge groups
You can post updates to your group
And see what other schools in your challenge area are up to

17. Updates The website is our community of readers
Post updates to show other schools what you have been doing
The Reading Gladiators team will respond to your posts
You can also comment on posts from other schools
The update app is quick and simple to use
Take a photo and write a short description
You can bookmark the app on a mobile phone for quick posting
You can also post from a computer, if you prefer

18. Final Challenge
The final challenge for year 4 takes place in June/July
Schools will have an opportunity to take part in a final face to face challenge. Just Imagine organises a select number of challenges each year, subject to the numbers participating in an area and capacity.
A format is also provided where a small number of schools would like to arrange a local challenge.
Participating schools that are not able to travel to an organised challenge day can still participate in the final challenge. Tasks will be provided which can be completed in school.
Details regarding what you need to prepare will be sent out at the beginning of the Spring Term

19. Contact information
Please get in touch if you have any questions and we will be happy to help. Reading Gladiators Team Nikki Gamble Programme Director and Year 6 Co- ordinator Vicky Edge-Baron Programme Manager Caroline Bradley Year 4 Co-ordinator Sam Keeley Year 2 Co-ordinator