Category: Additional Support for Learning

School Library Development: Sacred Heart Primary School Case Study

One of our main roles in supporting our primary schools is to help them develop and refurbish their school libraries. We tailor our support according to the needs of each school and the remit they provide. It can range from advice, purchasing new books, reorganisation, library cataloguing systems and full library refurbishments.

At the moment we are working with nine schools across the authority to improve their school library, all with different needs and budgets.

Sacred Heart Primary School are undertaking a complete refurbishment of their library. Pupil librarians have been heavily involved with the decision making and priority is given to pupil voice so that the pupils all have input into the new library. What they wanted is what most pupils want when they are asked about their school library – more and better books and somewhere comfortable to read them!

As you can see from the pictures we have a lot of work to do. As with all our library development work, we have a very close partnership with the SLT, staff, pupils and often parents, as it takes a community to build a library.

The room has been painted and given a new carpet, so we have a blank canvass to work with and imprint the school’s vision. Some of the old shelving is being reused, as it is still in good condition, which means we can focus on adding new areas: a digital area/makerspace, a comfy story corner with rug, browsing boxes for picture books and beanbags, a more grownup reading area for the older pupils with sofas and an ASC zone with a range of different non-book resources to support children with specific needs.

The old books have been ruthlessly weeded by the pupils and only the best quality retained for the new library. We have purchased a range of new, diverse and inclusive books in consultation with the pupils – popular authors like Jeff Kinney, Liz Pichon, Julia Donaldson, David Walliams etc., books in school community languages, comics and graphic novels, picture books for older pupils, wordless books, fact books, hobbies/interests and dyslexia friendly books. We also use our expertise to ensure there is a range of books to suit every level of reader, that the selection is diverse and inclusive and includes quality, modern books that the pupils have yet to discover.


We are currently waiting on delivery of the new furniture and more books, but we gave the pupils a sneak peak at the new books during Book Week Scotland and the excitement to get reading was palpable! The pupils were asked what reading means to them and the feedback will be used to create special artwork on the library walls.

A lot of work still to do but watch this space to see the finished library.

#Falkirk Reading Teachers’ Book Group

Our teacher book group is continuing to read, discuss and review a range of new books for children and we want to share this as widely as possible. Here we review ‘When the sky falls’ by Phil Earle and ‘The small things’ by Lisa Thompson

#FalkirkReadingTeachers′ Book Group

Author of the Week: Sally Gardner from the National Literacy Trust

Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Blue MoonRead and listen for free Sally Gardner’s Mr Tiger, Betsy and the Blue Moon, illustrated by Nick Maland. An enchanting story by a much loved author about Betsy K Glory, the daughter of a mermaid and an ice-cream maker, who meets the mysterious Mr Tiger and they have a giant challenge: a moon to turn blue, berries to collect and wishable-delicious ice cream to create. The sort that makes wishes come true.

You can also watch an exclusive video with Sally to hear all about her The Tindims of Rubbish Island stories, discover Sally’s top three children’s books and enjoy Questions & Answers to find out more about Sally.

Read, listen and enjoy here

 

Free e-Books from Oxford University Press

A colourful free e-Book helping to talk through feelings around covid 19 with young children. Available from Oxford University Press here

Winnie and Wilbur Stay at Home from the popular series by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul is available as an e-Book with fun activities and can be downloaded free here

Winnie and Wilbur Stay at Home jacket image

 

Publishers give permission to read their books on-line

At this time you may wish to read stories online as one of the many ways to digitally engage children and young people. Many publishers understand this, and have temporarily lifted or adjusted their copyright guidelines and permissions, please visit this website to find out which publishers have adjusted their policies. You will also find guidelines to follow from each participating publisher.

Don’t forget that many others are offering free resources and tools on their websites.

Barrington Stoke supporting literacy at home

Free Resources from Barrington StokeBarrington Stoke have pulled together all their free learning resources which can be found here

 

 

Dyslexia friendly       Super readable

The resources are a brilliant way to support children and young people’s learning as well as offering them exciting opportunities, for example the Young Editors Scheme, where young people can download manuscripts before publication and shape what is published.

There is also a list of links to other useful sites to help learning at home.

 

Digital resources for reading and writing fun at home

Book Trust have developed this digital hub. It is packed full of free books, videos, games, recipes, competitions, quizzes and much more. Plus, watch live readings and draw-a-longs with celebrated children’s authors and illustrators..

Why not try RadioBlogging – daily shows with interactive activities to keep everyone busy and engaged, brought to you by Pie Corbett, Deputy Mitchell, Ian Rockey and Russell Prue. Just listen and blog, it’s live, fun and interactive with new educational tasks each day for children to engage with at home or in school. CLICK HERE to visit and listen to any of the previous RadioBlogging Shows.

Remember to visit the Scottish Book Trust website for loads of great ideas for reading and writing. You can also meet amazing authors and illustrators on-line – here is what’s on offer in April and May:

Tuesday 14 April, 11am Liz Pichon: Featuring lots of giggles and doodles, author and illustrator Liz Pichon explores the world of her well-loved character, Tom Gates. Suitable for ages 8-11.

Thursday 16 April, 11am Nikesh Shukla: Hear about Nikesh’s powerful novel The Boxer, the impact of experiencing racist abuse, and how sport can empower young people. Suitable for ages 12+.

Tuesday 21 April, 11am Tracey Corderoy and Steven Lenton: Have your drawing supplies at the ready for a fun-filled event with the team behind the hilarious Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam books. Suitable for ages 6-11.

Thursday 23 April, 11am Nick Sharratt: Learn how illustrator Nick Sharratt creates well-loved characters, such as Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker and Kes Gray’s Daisy. Suitable for ages 6-11.

Tuesday 28 April, 11am Julia Donaldson, Julia brings to life some of her best loved heroes and villains with costumes, puppets and song. Suitable for ages 3-6.

Thursday 30 April, 11am Kwame Alexander: Join multi-award winning author Kwame Alexander for a compelling discussion about his books and the power of poetry. Suitable for ages 12+.

Tuesday 5 May, 11am Emily Mackenzie: Draw along with this fantastic event, featuring a wonderful reading of Emily’s picture book There’s Broccoli in My Ice Cream! Suitable for ages 3-6.

Thursday 7 May, 11am Lauren St John and Elizabeth Laird: Explore the importance of looking after the oceans, and hear all about where these amazing authors get their inspiration from! Suitable for ages 6-11.

 

 

 

Borrowbox

 

Falkirk Council’s Learning Resource Service has added e-books and unabridged e-audio books to the resources available to borrow for pupils and school staff. This is a brilliant way to develop and maintain a love of reading especially in the current situation where schools and public libraries are closed.

We have invested in a number of campaign titles allowing simultaneous access to certain titles e.g. Holes, The Wizards of Once and The Boy Who Grew Dragons.

Also, BorrowBox has been working with J.K. Rowling and Pottermore to support the #HarryPotterAtHome initiative and we are offering unlimited loans to the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone until 30th April 2020.

There are two main ways to log in:

  1. Through an app (available for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire,)
    1. Download the BorrowBox app by Bolinda from your device’s app store
    2. Open the app, in the Library section tap and type “Falkirk Learning Resource Service” Tap on the selection.
    3. In the ID/Barcode section, enter your Glow account username
    4. In the PIN/Password box, enter your Glow password
  2. Through a browser
    1. Log into Glow at https://glow.rmunify.com with your Glow username and password
    2. Navigate to the green Bolinda BorrowBox tile
    3. Click on the tile and it will load the library
    4. If there isn’t a tile, click up in App Library at the top of the screen. Search for Bolinda Borrowbox, click on it and Add to My Launchpad. Click back on Launchpad at the top of the screen to return to the main Glow page.

Have a look at the really helpful videos available here to show how to sign in and borrow books.