Andrew Beasely, primary teacher and author, talks about encouraging reading for pleasure
This Edinburgh University page brings together current research and best practice in relation to improving children’s reading.
Creating a reading environment
Literacy for Pleasure contains some case studies of schools which have worked to create communities of readers and resources to support this.
This Language and Literacy site has lots of good ideas and links: https://lalco.org.uk/
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education have a range of resources including Reading for Pleasure: What we Know Works
TES: https://www.tes.com/news/six-steps-create-reading-culture-your-school
First Minister’s Reading Challenge
74% of primary schools across Scotland took part in the First Minister’s Reading Challenge in 2016-2017.
From 2017/2018 the challenge is being extended to P1-3 pupils.
Remember you can also apply to Inspiring Classrooms to receive a small grant (£300) for:
- creating a project of their choice
- an author visit relating to the project
- books for the children taking part
In 2016-2017 135 applications were received. 50 applications were funded.
Engaging Parents
Reading Connects publish a Family Involvement Toolkit with lots of ideas for engaging parents and case studies of things that have worked.
The National Literacy Trust have produced this guide for parents in conjunction with children’ author, Cressida Cowell: Top tips for parents
Reading Resources
Some of the things which learners can find difficult:
These posters from the National Literacy Trust can be used to support primary pupils in choosing books:
Below are some links to help support the development of effective reading in the classroom:
Paired Reading and some training materials for paired reading
Primary – reading aloud good practice
Reciprocal Reading:
Reciprocal Reading roles for older readers
Reciprocal Reading roles for younger readers
reciprocal reading guide for parents
A link to Cathkin High School’s webpage where you can see a video of reciprocal reading in action can be found here.
Encouraging thinking readers:
The thinking reader – approaches to reading
Before during and after reading strategies
Digital literacy skills:
Reading online – how to develop literacy skills
Phonics development
The Highland Literacy Hub has some inteersting links relating to the teaching of phonics: https://highlandliteracy.com/spelling-and-phonics/
Teach Your Monster to Read has a range of free computer based resources to support the tewaching of any synthetic phonics programme: https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
Support for the confusion between b, p and d can be found here: BDP letter confusion
Reading Comprehension
This resource contains lots of valuable information and advice about teaching reading comprehension from P5 to S3:
Education Scotland also have a reading professional learning resource with resources and tasks to help teachers think about the ways in which young people learn to read:
https://education.gov.scot/improvement/Pages/lit19-ssln-reading.aspx
Reading Rockets is a site which also contains some interesting guidance:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/seven-strategies-teach-students-text-comprehension
Busy Teacher has ideas for teaching skimming, scanning, finding the main idea etc:
https://busyteacher.org/10731-5-activities-for-teaching-reading-strategies.html
Teachit’s cube template has ideas for ways to get learners to engage with texts: Cube template and ideas
Using Texts
The Association for Scottish Literary Studies has free, downloadable resources on a range of Scottish texts, suitable for early primary to AH.
The Scottish Book Trust have a useful resource: 10 things to do with a book (primary)
General Reading Resources
The National Literacy Trust have some free downloadable resources.
The National Library of Scotland have a range of resources to support the teaching of literature.
Further reading:
