Children in Middlesbrough are being encouraged to explore the town’s most popular stories with new reading logs and the chance to win an iPad mini.
Note, most of what follows is a press release, which is why it doesn’t read like one of my blog posts. However, I’m sharing it because when I followed it up, although it mentions school extensively, it is open to home educators, and I’m adding details of how they can join in 🙂
Following on from World Book Day, Middlesbrough Reads has created a set of reading logs to inspire children of all ages to read for pleasure and more widely.
Based on the Best Reads book list, voted for by local schools, the reading logs are available in four age categories: up to age six, age seven and above, age 10 to 11 and young adults. Each reading log includes 26 titles that children are encouraged to read and acts as a guideline to ensure that they are reading age appropriate materials.
National Literacy Trust research shows that children who are reading at their expected level or above are three times more likely to have higher mental wellbeing than their peers with lower than expected reading skills (40.3% vs 13.1%).
The reading logs have been developed in partnership with the Middlesbrough Promise and will be distributed to primary schools across the town. They will also be available to download from the Middlesbrough Reads website (click here). Once a child has read at least six of the 26 titles in their age category, they are invited to complete a book review about their favourite. All submissions will be entered into a prize draw at the end of school year, in which one lucky child will win an iPad mini.
When you download the forms, you get a list of suggested book titles, and then the last page or so is a form to submit a review. It includes mention of school name and teacher, and says give to your teacher to submit to address on form. For home educated families, just put home educated and parent name/ details and send it in yourself 🙂
The National Literacy Trust Hub in Middlesbrough, known locally as Middlesbrough Reads, has been working for more than five years to improve the literacy outcomes of children and families in the town. The campaign is amplified by Middlesbrough Council’s Middlesbrough Promise, a partnership of education, health, literacy and community professionals, which aims to improve the life chances of young people in Middlesbrough through reading.
Allison Potter, manager of Middlesbrough Reads, said: “We’re delighted to launch these exciting reading logs in schools across Middlesbrough and inspire children to fall in love with books. We know that children who enjoy reading are more likely to lead happier lives.
“We encourage children to read as many books as they can and submit as many book reviews as possible to increase their chances of winning a fantastic prize!”
Like I say, although this is heavily school based, I’ve queried it and it *is* open to home educators, so if you’re in Middlesbrough, get stuck in, and spread the word!
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