Reading/Library Surgery
A few weeks ago, I read 'The Final Year' by Matt Goodfellow, which is the Senior Book Club choice for this term. It is a very enjoyable read indeed, one that is written in verse, deals with navigating your way through school, being a young carer and accepting help when it's offered. At home, I have just finished 'My name is Leon' by Kit de Waal, and I was struck by how similar they are - in tone, narrative, choice of protagonist - the whole thing.
As Mrs Brill wrote last week, the theme for this year's Book Week is 'Connections' and the connection between the two books above - despite the 40 something year gap in setting and entirely different target audience was palpable; from a school perspective, the thematic connections of 'The Final Year' continue into the classroom, as we study poetry in Year 6, and 'Our Day Out' in Year 7, which explores, amongst other things, the importance of education in society.
Obviously, not everyone likes to read, in the same way that not everyone will like rugby, or Physics! Books, and your relationship with them, are a deeply personal matter; however, if you have one that you connect with, then it is a gift, and, at times, a literal, sometimes obsessive joy.
At Pilgrims', we have our own brand of nominative determinism, and 'Sit Down' and 'Ready-Ready,' (as it has become known in my lessons), provide protected times in the day for boys to read; reading is treated as sacrosanct, with the link between improved vocabulary and spelling being well documented. However, get stuck with a book you don't enjoy, and the process of reading can become actively unenjoyable. This is why I would like to encourage boys and parents alike, to take full advantage of Mrs Brill's fantastic 'Library Surgery.'
'Library Surgery' is a tool which aims to support literacy in our School. It provides an opportunity to encourage children's reading development, to discuss likes and dislikes, to explore different genres, to look for the book which will unlock and foster long-term love for reading, using a one-to-one and tailored approach.
Boys can be 'referred' by their English teachers or can 'self-refer,' and at the end of the session, pupils select a number of books to consider as future reads. These are included in a personalised form for each boy to use, with the form then being shared with teachers and parents. This is not only an exciting initiative, but one that has the potential to really open up reading to everyone, and your support at home to help get all our boys reading, would be invaluable.
Will Darlow
Head of English
