1. Reading Gladiators
Year 5/6 challenge 2017

2. Aims To provide opportunities for sustained reading
To broaden the range of children’s reading by introducing them to some of the most interesting writers, beyond the obvious popular choices
To develop reading ‘stamina’
To provide opportunities for peer to peer recommendation and small group discussion
To initiate creative responses to texts
To develop a community of readers in the classroom
Where relevant to build on the momentum created by the year 4 Reading Gladiators programme

3. To support independent reading
Class set of books books (3 copies of 24 books)
Challenge to read as many of these books as possible across the year
3 copies supports peer to peer recommendation
Books to be read during sustained quiet reading
We recommend that children take the books home to read as they will require sustained reading

4. Structuring Sustained Reading
Consider when you can provide an opportunity for sustained reading in school
In lesson time
In leisure time
Taking books home to read.
Suggest a 30 – 45 minute session per week/fortnight for feedback and sharing.
5-10 minute introduction (introducing the new books, featuring activities from the Reading Passport, short reading from one of the core books)
15 – 20 minutes small group discussion. Sharing books. Using the Reading Passport as a means of generating discussion.
5 – 10 minutes refocusing. Writing and displaying recommendations

5. Organisation of Books 3 x 6 different titles in each set
Grouped into 4 Themes
Set 1: Clued Up (all kinds of mysteries)
Set 2: We Can be Heroes (discussion about the concept of heroism)
Set 3: Dare to Read (for those that like a frisson of fear)
Set 4: Open Your Mind (deeper themes for reflection)
3 x 6 different titles in each set

6. Clued Up

7. We Can be Heroes

8. Dare to Read

9. Open Your Mind

10. Supplementing core books
Aim for children to read as many of the core 24 books as possible
However, you can add books from the class or school library to the core collection.
Select books that fit the theme
Suggested books for expanding the theme on the Reading Gladiators website
Books to suit different interests and abilities need to be included

11. Introducing the Books (suggested timings)
INCREMENTAL INTRODUCTION October Clued Up November We Can be Heroes January Dare to Read March Open Your Mind

12. Introducing the books
Add books incrementally so you can put books in the spotlight.
Introduce one or two books each day. Short book talks 1 – 2 minutes to whet appetites
Book trailers and notes downloadable from the website
You may want to start the project with half the class for the first set of books
If you had year 4 Reading Gladiators you can use them as advocates

13. Displaying the new set
When you introduce the new set, display them attractively to make them inviting for the children to pick up
Load your display ideas to the website
£100 of books to the class with the best ‘All Clued Up’ display

14. The Reading Passport Record of books read
Start with describing self as a reader
Focus on creative response
Activities in the journal are intended to be used as discussion starter
Suggest weekly minute sharing session using the passports to support discussion and deepen response to books
Whole class introduction
Peer to peer recommendation and sharing reading passports
Bringing it together refocusing the reading

15. How to use
Suggest children pick the page they think most appropriate to the book rather than work through the passport sequentially
Take some time in the reading session to discuss some of the activities in order to deepen response
For instance, what might you consider when designing a hat for a character
Powerpoint with hat designs is downloadable from the website to illustrate the idea

16. Responding to character through design

17. Autumn mini-challenge (based on the ‘design a cake activity) JANUARY
MONTH
INTRODUCE
CHALLENGE
OPTIONAL WEBINARS
OCTOBER
Clued Up
Autumn term webinar
NOVEMBER
We Can be Heroes
DECEMBER
Autumn mini-challenge
(based on the ‘design a cake activity)
JANUARY
Dare to Read
Spring term webinar
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Open Your Mind
Spring term mini-challenge
(based on the extend a scene using dialogue activity)
APRIL
MAY
Summer Challenge
JUNE
Summer Term Final Challenge 30th June
Summer term webinar

19. TOP MENU
Year 5/6 – to view all year 5/6 events
Schools – a drop down list
Blog
Quizzes – just for fun. One quiz per set.
Teacher login (also using the green button on the home page)

20. Additional Content
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26. Contact us Reading Gladiators Co-ordinator: Caroline Bradley
Hertfordshire Liaison: Sam Keeley
Bristol/Bury/Wandsworth

27. Readinggladiators.org.uk