The 12 days of literacy
This year, we’re swapping the 12 days of Christmas for 12 days of literacy delights – encouraging reading and writing for pleasure throughout the festive holiday and beyond!
On the first day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… a student reading for pleasure.
When reading is fun it encourages real engagement but the sad fact is, not all children find it easy and therefore not enjoyable. If a pupil can see another pupil, or even a teacher, sinking their teeth into a good book, it may give them the encouragement to do the same. Having designated time in the week to encourage independent reading for pleasure can really help, as can the power of a child choosing a book they want to read themselves.
On the second day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… two talking books.
Getting to grips with literacy doesn’t only mean getting to grips with the written word. Talking books can be an invaluable resource for learners who struggle with reading, including pupils with dyslexia – by enhancing vocabulary, extending knowledge and boosting comprehension with spoken alternatives.
On the third day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… three fresh recommendations.
There’s no better motivator to inspire reading than word-of-mouth – and when a cluster of pupils shouts out about a brilliant book they’ve read, they are likely to encourage others to follow their lead. Encourage the process wherever you can, perhaps inviting pupils to bring in – and discuss – their favourite reads in a regular in-class slot. Recommendations from other parents and teachers can be a positive influence too, showing students that reading is a valuable, lifelong skill.
Earlier this year we ran a Share a Read competition in partnership with The Reading Agency, encouraging five to 19-year-olds, and teachers too, to share their favourite book or story character in a review.
On the fourth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… four literacy challenges.
By activating students’ competitive edge, reading and writing challenges can quickly fire-up their engagement levels – and teachers can get involved too!
Learn more about our work with the Teachers Reading Challenge in this absorbing autumn term post:
On the fifth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… five gold stars.
Teachers can build back the confidence of struggling or de-motivated readers by reaffirming the potential of their students, and creating rewards-based systems that emphasise the value of reading for pleasure.
Teacher Laura Meyrick explored the topic of motivation and reviewed research in her autumn post for Pearson:
Reading for pleasure – the impact of teachers in secondary school
On the sixth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… six children laughing.
Some studies show that reading for enjoyment is a more crucial indicator of children’s educational success than their family’s socio-economic status – whether it’s flicking through comic books or settling down with an epic saga. In this article on storytellers and reading aloud, professional storyteller, Alec Williams describes how even telling jokes can have a positive impact on literacy levels.
On the seventh day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… seven comfy chairs.
Is there a cosy ritual of reading in your classroom? Somewhere that pupils can snuggle up and lose themselves in a book? Create a sanctuary of rest and reading, and students will be more inclined to develop a wonderful hobby that lasts a lifetime.
On the eighth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… eight Bug Club games.
Believe it or not, our brilliant Bug Club is almost 11 years old! This whole-school reading programme has now supported millions of learners around the world, with a colourful variety of challenges, ideas and games.
On the ninth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… nine authors representing.
Hearing from a broad range of authors can be a magical experience for pupils – helping them see what doors the profession of writing can unlock, and empower them to follow their own creative pathways. At Pearson, we work with authors from a multitude of backgrounds to showcase their work, celebrate diversity, and promote empowerment for every pupil.
Find out more about our commitment to diverse texts
On the tenth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… ten librarians a-leaping.
Does your school have its own library? Is it a place where pupils can ‘Be themselves’ rather than ‘Be careful’? Professional storyteller and ex-librarian, Alec Williams, is a champion for school libraries – the ‘powerhouse of reading’ – and this year shared his tips on how to revive libraries and give bookish pleasures a boost.
Read A Powerhouse for Reading (and why your school should have one)!
On the eleventh day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… eleven pupils scribbling.
When was the last time your pupils let their imaginations run wild with pen and paper (or even the video recorder)? Our annual storytelling challenge, My Twist on a Tale, sparks thousands of inventive entries each year from learners right across the country. The competition deadline for entries for 2021 has now passed but our free creative resources are still available online.
Visit the My Twist on a Tale web page for inspiration, and to delve into previous story collections
On the twelfth day of Christmas, a book lover sent to me… twelve families reading.
Empowering parents to support reading at home will open endless possibilities for children. That’s why helping children to keep gaining confidence in their reading, whatever their natural ability is so fundamental and is best achieved when the duty is shared by homes and schools. John Jolly, Chief Executive of Parentkind provides some fantastic tips on how to engage your children’s parents in his blog.
We also have our why is reading so important page on our website that will encourage families to nurture literacy, model reading and writing for pleasure, and show an interest in books - a sure-fire way to supercharge a pupil’s passion and learning.
We hope you have had fun humming your way through this list.
For more tips and advice on how to get your pupils reading and writing for pleasure, visit our blog page today.
We hope you enjoy the holidays!