Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy
Striving For Excellence, Caring For All In a Loving And Caring Christian Environment.
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Find Out MoreReading for Pleasure
The library in Bourne Abbey really is a place for children to continue to develop their love of books and reading. In 2018, Bourne Abbey officially opened their spectacular jungle themed library. The library houses a wealth of beautiful fiction and non-fiction texts and is available for all year groups to use.
As part of our UNICEF work, we have often discussed the importance of having places to get accurate and useful information – and having a fantastic library that we can all enjoy using has been a big part in continuing to develop this at Bourne Abbey:
Below is a recount of the day of the grand library opening with a very special guest, The One Show’s Mike Dilger!!
Once the opening speeches had taken place, the school’s Eco Team members relished the opportunity to show Mike around the rainforest themed library and he was incredibly impressed with the children’s knowledge of the more unusual animals that can be found in the world’s rainforest, including: the hyacinth macaw, the tapir and the guinea pig like capybara. Mike shared his favourite books with the children and told them all about his early experiences of reading and how these had inspired his love of nature and life-long career studying the wildlife that covers the globe.
We are so proud of our library and its awesome WOW factor, and we love sharing this beautiful space with our classes.
Reading for pleasure opens up new worlds for children. It gives them the opportunity to use their imagination to explore new ideas, visit new places and meet new characters. Interestingly, reading for pleasure also improves children’s well-being and empathy. It helps them to understand their own identity, and gives them an insight into the world and the views of others.
At Bourne Abbey Church of England Primary Academy, we are committed to fostering a love of reading among our students. Through a variety of engaging activities, we aim to develop reading for pleasure and instil a lifelong passion for literature. Here’s how our activities contribute to this goal:
- A regular reading newsletter
– Activity: Regular newsletters that include reading highlights and tips for parents and carers.
– Impact: Celebrates reading achievements and keeps the school community informed and engaged with ongoing literacy initiatives.
- Reading Café
– Activity: Scheduled events where students and parents can come together to read and discuss books in a café-style setting.
– Impact: Promotes a social and relaxed environment for reading, encouraging family involvement and making reading a shared pleasure.
- Library Use
– Activity: Regular, scheduled visits to the school library.
– Impact: Provides students with access to a wide range of books, fostering independent reading and helping them discover personal interests.
- Reading for Pleasure Book
– Activity: Dedicated time and resources for students to choose and read books purely for enjoyment.
– Impact: Encourages students to find joy in reading without the pressure of assignments or assessments.
- Flyers to promote daily reading “20 is Plenty”
– Activity: Flyers promoting the “20 is Plenty” reading challenge, encouraging students to read for 20 minutes each day.
– Impact: Reinforces daily reading habits and motivates students to share their reading experiences and accomplishments.
6.Reading Incentives
– Activity: Reading incentives, such as a reading raffle, for children who regularly engage in reading activities.
– Impact: Provides motivation and rewards for regular reading, creating a positive reinforcement loop.
- Reading Ambassadors
– Activity: Older children who promote reading and help organise literacy events.
– Impact: Empowers students to take leadership roles and serve as reading role models for their peers.
- World Book Day
– Activity: A special day dedicated to celebrating books and reading, with activities like dressing up as book characters.
– Impact: Generates excitement and enthusiasm around reading, making it a fun and memorable event.
- Mystery Reader
– Activity: Surprise guest readers to read to the children.
– Impact: Adds an element of surprise and excitement to reading, encouraging curiosity and engagement.
- Reading Journals
– Activity: Children keep a class journal to record their thoughts and reflections on books they read.
– Impact: Encourages deeper engagement with texts and helps develop critical thinking and reflective skills.
- Special Reading Boxes and shelves
-Activity: A curated box of special books that students can borrow for home reading.
– Impact: Provides children with access to high-interest books, making reading at home more appealing.
By integrating these activities into our curriculum, Bourne Abbey C of E Primary Academy is dedicated to making reading a pleasurable and integral part of our children’s lives. We believe that instilling a love of reading early on lays the foundation for lifelong learning and curiosity.
Useful websites for parents:
https://ourfp.org/supporting-rah/sharing-the-love-of-reading/
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