Reading for pleasure is a pedagogy which is built up over time. The children begin to see you as a reader, you get to know what they like, and you create an environment of exploration, enjoyment and opportunities. To embed this deeply takes time, dedication and resources. However sometimes, there are quick wins which you can try out yourself, to entice those children to enjoy reading. To show them you are a Reading Teacher (capital R, capital T) and to ignite that reading for pleasure spark in your classroom. Whether you are an ECT or in your 15th year, this blog will give you some top tips for quick wins which will support you in kick starting your journey into reading for pleasure.
A short story:
Implementing something in any school is a challenge, but implementing something as new member of staff is even harder.
As I began my first year in a new school I left my legacy behind with me. I left the fact that people knew me as ‘that Reading Teacher’ or the teacher who ‘loves books’. I even left behind my title of winning the Reading Teacher of the Year award 2018 from the Open University.
For the first time in my career, I was exposed. I could not rest on my laurels anymore, expect people to just know what I stand for, I had to shout it.
On my first day in my new school, I stood there with my class all eagerly awaiting my first instruction.
‘Today Year 2, we will be doing independent reading’
As I took off my shoes, rolled up my trousers and crawled under the table to get into a comfy space, the Year 2s couldn’t understand what was happening.
What is she doing?
As I began to read to myself under the table and laugh at parts of the story, a few brave children crawled alongside me. By the time I got to the end of the story, there were 29 Year 2s curled up under the table with me.
As we sat back down to go to the carpet, the classroom was buzzing with questions and confusion.
What was all that about?
Is my teacher from outer space?
THAT WAS FUN!
LET’S DO THAT AGAIN!
Soon, the children couldn’t wait for independent reading sessions. They would sit and wait patiently for me to recommend them a book because they knew I would choose something they liked. Some would come and ask for a book from my ‘special shelf’ and some would just sit and look at everyone else, taking in the stories from around the classroom and the enjoyment in their friends’ faces.
It was at this point when I knew I had won them over. I had turned them into a reading classroom and both students and teacher were immersed in high quality texts, in a relaxed environment with a real thirst for more.
Quick fixes to a reading for pleasure classroom:
Developing social reading environments and understanding your children as readers are the two most important strands of the Reading for Pleasure research, as this underpins the success of implementation. Having somewhere inviting for children to read, high quality texts and an abundance of cosy corners paired with you knowing what will entice them in and how to make the readers feel special are the perfect combination.
Quick tips for social environments:
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Books facing the front. There is nothing worse than a massive shelf of books when you can just see the spine. Show the children what is on offer to read.
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Build it into the school day, subtly. Let the children come in after play and see you reading a book. Develop their inquisitiveness and curiosity and let them see you as a reader.
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Model what Reading for Pleasure looks like; when you first start introducing it, it will be planned into the day and the children need to be educated on what it is. They cannot do this when you are checking emails or marking books. Read with them too!
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Develop areas in your classroom which entice reading. Have cushions, blankets, chairs etc. Let them get cosy, let them take their shoes off and go under tables and make dens. They do not read at home on a hard plastic chair, so if we want them to enjoy what they are doing we need to make it comfy.
Quick tips for knowing your children as readers:
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Complete a quick questionnaire with your children. What is their favourite book, where do they like to read, who do they like to read with, do they even like reading? These are the children you will target when it comes to your sessions.
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Speak to the children, ask them if they like the books. If not, why? What can you do about it?
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Know what books are out there and what will ignite the passion in your children. Go to your local book shop and have a really good read. If you can, use some of the school budget, if not then recommend some to parents at parents’ evenings.
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Encourage the children to make a sign-up sheet where they can request to read aloud to their friends. This will help you see how they read aloud, what they choose to read aloud and ways to nudge and support them with their book choices.
Key message:
It is key to remember that Reading for Pleasure is not a ‘thing’ or an ‘activity’ or a ‘bolt on’ to something else. It is something which is part of your pedagogy and something the children need to learn to do. It is not a bespoke time in the day, it is not timetabled, it is organic and felt with passion and enthusiasm. It is grabbing every opportunity to share books, poems and comics with the children, listening to what they like, signposting them to places they have never been before and unlocking the doors for them so they can enjoy their reading for life.
Emily Crumbleholme
KS1 Phase Lead and Writing Lead
My name is Emily, a lover of all things reading and writing within education. I have experience in a range of roles from Assistant Head, DSL and mixed age teaching. I adore seeing the impact you can make as a Reading Teacher and the way in which books can open so many doors. Doors to readers, to understanding children as readers but also a way into getting to know your pupils on an even deeper level.