This is the first time I have EVER been in a library.
Is there any single more important duty of an English Department, of a school even, than introducing our students to the wonders of reading? I would like to think that almost any Head of Department worth their salt could put up a good fight defending that statement. My parents did not have a love of books, but there were books in my home. I did not have parents that made me read, but they occasionally read with me – Charlotte’s Web (“Where’s Papa going with that axe?” said Fern to her mother”) mainly. I did get books as gifts that often, though occasionally an annual appeared in a Christmas stocking.
We did have a library at school. Now, I only used the library on rainy days, when I could not be outside at lunch playing football, or tennis, or cricket or when we had to renew my class reader. As a result, I read more than I would have done and probably did better in school generally as a result. Hence my passion for our library I think. This week saw the green shoots of our reading drive. In years seven through nine, we have introduced 45 minute library visits with every student issued a library book and random DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) moments in class. We have a community-supported library listeners programme who meet us there to listen to our students read. We have a parents and carer engagement plan, student rewards and extended reading or book club. We have Accelerate Reader purchased for Sept 13. ‘What we are reading posters’ adorn most teachers doors. We are addressing the fact that some of our students have never, ‘EVER’ been to a library.
In class, my experiment with Edmodo is going very well indeed. Students have engaged with post lesson polls, which in turn have steered the following lessons introduction recap. Within the group I have two further sub-groups, a stretch group ‘Challenge ’em’ and a support group ‘Zues.’ Additional activities are set for the challenge students and the Teaching Assistant is setting support tasks for those that need more help. Today, one of the ‘Challenge ’em’ students is leading a short Miss Marple activity based on her favourite Miss Marple film. She has asked for a 15 minute slot – very exciting. Homework via the site is trickling and marking via the site is very easy. Meanwhile I am still considering whether or note to send a letter to parents and to outline the project and share the class code?
I am still listening to Grammar Girl, ‘How to use a Hyphen’ and ‘Tuxedo Verbs’ this morning though my Sentinel project has temporarily stalled.
Finally, a few resources for you. A ‘Welcome to English’ banner and ‘Don’t forget your reading book’ banner.
The cut and thrust of Y11 exam preparation includes SAM Learning, small exam intervention groups, course catch up, “study-plus” resources for student disaggregated from other subject areas and half term revision days.
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