Category: Curriculum Level

Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower! by Nathanael Lessore

Review by Elaine Swan, Langlees Primary School, Falkirk

Suitable for: 1st level

Themes – friendship, family, mystery, finding your ‘superpower’, celebrating difference, empathy

A funny whodunnit for young readers with a touch of magic in a traditional detective tale. I think this book would be a good class novel and the expressive and humorous illustration would also make it a good intro book for pupils transitioning from skinny novels to slightly longer novels.

Even without having any superpowers until the end of the book the main character Sara displays tenacity, kindness, courage and brains – showing what ‘superpowers’ really are and that there are many ways to be a ‘hero’. I also liked the fact that she laughed at her own jokes.  The other characters were varied and added to either the moral storyline running through the book (Sara’s parents) or the solving of the crime (Georgie and Javier).

This illustrated chapter book is worth reading as it could also invoke discussions around the concepts of clues, suspects, predictions and inference.

The Line They Drew Through Us by Hiba Noor Khan

Review by Elaine Swan, Langlees Primary School, Falkirk

 

Suitable for older 1st level and/or 2nd level

Themes – violence, religious intolerance, partition of India, colonialism, bullying in school, separation from loved ones, friendship, loss,

This was an engaging story right from the start with vivid characters who, despite being the best of friends, kept their own identities and personalities throughout the book.  The story also revealed the trauma of Partition without being too overwhelmingly violent (but enough for the reader to get a sense of the utter devastation this caused) so could be read by more able younger readers. It correctly states the deliberate act of violence and self-interest by the British, focusing not just on the horrors of Partition but also the cause.

This historical fiction book got the balance just right between historic facts, information about the different religions (I found the glossary at the back very helpful) and the beauty of India.  It was deeply moving at parts, with a rich use of language and I also found it incredibly impactful and made me want to go and read more about the atrocious event. It’s gut wrenching one moment and then hopeful at another.  Both educational and memorable and a story I think will enlighten anyone who chooses to read it.

Teacher Book Group 25/26

 

It’s been another wonderful year for the Falkirk Teacher Book Group, run by the Learning Resource Service, and we want to share what we have been reading with you. Scan the QR code or follow the link below and find out the books we have enjoyed and how they can be used to support reading for pleasure, empathy and the curriculum.

 

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/2120936880999498405

 

 

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/2121277517854671525

Teacher Book Group

Our book group for primary teachers within Falkirk Council has been running for six years now and goes from strength to strength! It started off with fifteen members and now has over thirty teachers, some of whom have been members from the beginning. The aim is to support teachers in developing a love of reading in their pupils by reading modern and diverse books, which they can use with their class and share/recommend to colleagues and pupils. Teachers being readers themselves and having knowledge of children’s books helps support a vibrant reading culture in schools.

Our librarian uses their expertise to select new and exciting children’s books from quality authors and aims to ensure diverse representation and breadth of genre throughout the year. Teachers provide feedback on the books and you can find some of our recommendations by scanning the QR code below.

 

 

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1989300515577528997

School Library Development: Sacred Heart Primary School Case Study 2

The new furniture has arrived and we created a story corner and senior comfy reading area for pupils to relax and enjoy their new books. Pupil Voice is central to Sacred Heart’s ethos and we consulted with pupils on how they would like their library to look. They asked for a nature theme, so we have an artificial grass story rug and nature-themed beanbags etc. A reading den was a popular request so we have an easily moved pop-up den in the story corner.

 

The picture books are all in front-facing browsers making them more accessible and inviting. The school used old ipad boxes to create fantastic displays on the walls.

The library looks amazing but the main difference is the wide-range of new books to appeal to every child. Pupils were consulted for their favourite authors, genres and interests but we also ensure that there are books for reluctant readers, dyslexic or struggling readers, comics/graphic novels, picture books for older pupils, diverse/inclusive books, wordless books and books in school community languages.

In many ways the easy part of the refurbishment is complete – we just have a few finishing touches to add. The most important part of a library refurbishment now begins: getting the most from your new library! How will the library be used? Who will look after the library? How can we make the library central to the school’s reading culture? What’s in the new library?

LRS will work closely with pupils over the coming weeks and help them explore all the exciting new books. Working with small groups of pupils we will find out their interests and direct them to new and diverse reading adventures.

Reading Schools Accreditation

In 2019–20, Falkirk Council piloted the Reading Schools accreditation programme as part of a FVWL RIC initiative. Evaluation showed clear evidence of impact on learners, learning professionals and schools as a whole:

  • 80% agreed that taking part in Reading Schools helped their school to support learners who are not enthusiastic readers
  • 85% agreed that taking part in Reading Schools helped learners to develop a love of reading
  • 70% agreed that taking part in Reading Schools supported learners’ attainment
  • 80% agreed that taking part in Reading Schools supported learners’ health and wellbeing

Based on this positive evidence of impact, the programme has been extended to all of Scotland’s schools.

Research proves that reading for pleasure has positive impacts on learners’ attainment across the curriculum, supporting wellbeing, critical thinking, creativity, empathy and resilience.

Visit the website to find how to apply for accreditation and to find a range of very helpful advice and examples from schools who have gone through the accreditation process.

NEWS!

40 of our schools in Falkirk Council are engaged with the Reading Schools’ Accreditation programme and so far in 2025 Carrongrange High School, Comely Park Primary School and St Mary’s Primary School achieved Silver Accreditation, and Larbert High School, St Francis’ Primary School and St Joseph’s primary school achieved Gold Accreditation. Well done to all!

 

Live Literature funding

Apply now for Scottish Book Trust’s Live Literature programme, a wonderful opportunity to invite an author to your school for £75 instead of £175. Scottish Book Trust will pay the rest of the fees and travel costs.

The current application window covers Live Literature events taking place before 31 March 2023. There will be a series of rolling deadlines throughout the year, up until the final deadline of 21 November 2022. Deadlines for each panel are listed below.

All applications should be received no later than midday on each deadline date.

  • 21 February deadline – 28 February panel
  • 25 April deadline – 2 May panel
  • 29 August deadline – 5 September panel
  • 21 November deadline – 28 November panel

 

The Falkirk Canals Classroom

Welcome to the Falkirk Canals Classroom, an activity pack for primary school students that celebrates the fascinating history of the Union and Forth & Clyde canals in the Falkirk area.

Below, you will find everything you need to deliver lessons on the canals, with hands-on activities to do on the banks and in the classroom, canal heritage landmarks and links, and multimedia exploration of Falkirk’s historic waterways. The learning materials included connect to every curriculum area, and you can use the resources any way you please!

Stack them together to build a lesson, use them to enhance a bigger topic, or work through the whole booklet!

In addition to the activities there are plenty of optional extras, extension ideas and links to further resources – so it’s up to you!

Find individual subject area packs, or the full version of the information below:

Falkirk Canals Classroom – full pack

Falkirk Canals Classroom – in full – click here to download pdf or view below

Subject area packs

1) History and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

History and the Canals

2) Geography and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Geography and the Canals

3) Art and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Art and the Canals

 

4) Health & Wellbeing and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Health and Wellbeing on the Canals

 

5) Science and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Science and the Canals

 

6) Maths and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Maths and the Canals

 

7) Modern Studies and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Modern Studies and the Canals

 

8) Literacy and the Canals – click here to download pdf or view below

Literacy and the Canals

 

9) Falkirk Canal Classroom Activities – click here to download pdf or view below