ARE WE RESTRICTING READING?

presented by John Iona @LIASA-SLYSIG Conference 2016

OVERVIEW

To look at some of the challenges we face as school librarians, when it comes to developing and sustaining a reading culture among our pupils and in our schools

INTRODUCTION

Librarian at Oasis Academy Enfield since 2008 New Academy in Enfield, north London

Oasis’ (Christian charity) first school as part of Oasis Community Learning

Develop the Library from its beginning

BEFORE

AFTER

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

BA English Literature (major) and Media Studies (minor)

MA Modern Literatures in English

Studied MA Information and Library Management part-time, by distance learning 2007-2009

SLA SLYA 2013

Chartered MCLIP 2013

CILIP SLG National Committee 2011-2016

Blog at https://jionalibrarian.wordpress.com/

WHAT SHOULD THE LIBRARY BE?

Gateway to discovery, learning and development.

Place to support, develop and extend the curricular and extra-curricular growth of our young people

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES IN SCHOOLS?

• Opportunity

• Importance

• RecognitionTime

• Progress

• Assessment

• Reading schemesEvidence

• Attitudes

• Literacy

• Distractions

• Priorities

Pupils

• Curriculum

• Content

• Assessment

• Attitudes

Teachers

WHAT CAN WE DO TO ADDRESS THIS?

School and department priorities and development plans.

Embed the Library within the culture and curriculum.

Reward/recognition around reading for pleasure.

Linking further reading to curriculum.

Knowing our students.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

Library Lessons Literacy Drive 2012-14Accelerated Reader DEAR Time

The Reading Games G&T book clubsReading Record Booklets

Surprise Summer reads Staff favourite booksAuthor visits Parent Book Club Poet visits

Competitions World Book Day Events Reading Buddies

Form time reading Email signatures Staff Book Club Reading as a starter activity in English lessons

LIBRARY LESSONS

“Teachers should develop pupils’ reading andwriting in all subjects to support their acquisition ofknowledge. Pupils should be taught to read fluently,understand extended prose (both fiction and non-fiction) and be encouraged to read for pleasure.Schools should do everything to promote widerreading. They should provide library facilities andset ambitious expectations for reading at home.”Gov.uk (2014) Statutory guidance. National curriculum in England: framework for key stages 1 to 4. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-framework-for-key-stages-1-to-4

LIBRARY LESSONS

Year 7 and 8 weekly lesson

Independent reading and a structured task

Induction to the Library – module booklet

Research project linked to English theme (WWII)

Class reader novel – A Monster Calls, The Weight of Water, Abomination Depending on class needs and ability

Small, pupil-led, group reading

Reading record booklets to evidence reading

LITERACY DRIVE 2012-14: ACCELERATED READER

LITERACY DRIVE 2012-14: ACCELERATED READER

Advantages

Provides hard data Tracks reading levels and

progress

Records books read

Forms a basis for reward

Guides pupils to appropriatebooks

Drawbacks Star test results seem inconsistent

Book levels can be dubious

Limits reading selection

Reduces reading for pleasure to comprehension and recall

No creative engagement or outcomes

Takes careful monitoring

Becomes a “Library thing”

LITERACY DRIVE 2012-14: DEAR TIME

Independent reading within curriculum time

A number of ways of implementing this initiative

How did we do it? Timetabled 60-minute lesson

Non-specialist teachers

Develop literacy and reading for pleasure

Mixture of independent reading, class-readers, literacy skills booklets, and non-fiction activities using First News publication

WHAT WERE THE OUTCOMES?

Lacked sustainability.

AR was not wholly supported by staff.

DEAR Time suffered from being mis-implemented.

TALK TIME AND QUESTIONS?

What have been your experiences with reading schemes in your school?

Have you worked with reading schemes such as Accelerated Reader or similar?

Are there instances that you have come across where pupils are forced to read something that they don’t want to?

LIBERATING READING

Library Lessons Literacy Drive 2012-14Accelerated Reader DEAR Time

The Reading Games G&T book clubsReading Record Booklets

Surprise Summer reads Staff favourite booksAuthor visits Parent Book Club Poet visits

Competitions World Book Day Events Reading Buddies

Form time reading Email signatures Staff Book Club Reading as a starter activity in English lessons

G&T BOOK CLUBS

G&T BOOK CLUBS

STAFF SURPRISE SUMMER/CHRISTMAS READS

STAFF FAVOURITE BOOK DOOR SIGNS

STAFF FAVOURITE BOOK DOOR SIGNS

STAFF FAVOURITE BOOK DOOR SIGNS

IN SUMMARY

ANY QUESTIONS?Presented by John Iona. Blog: Jionalibrarian.wordpress.com Email: mrjohniona@gmail.com