Reading for Pleasure with the Open University

Teachers as Readers

Ilsham English Hub runs a Teachers as Readers group, with UKLA/Open University.  These groups provide a space for teachers, student teachers , librarians and others to enrich their understanding of reading for pleasure (RfP) and how to support it.

Further details can be found on the UKLA website: https://ukla.org/sigs-networks/ou-and-ukla-teachers-reading-groups/

We will be starting a new cohort in September 2022

Download: Audit: Reading for Pleasure provision

Transforming your school’s reading culture

We support English Hub Leaders with transforming your school’s reading culture, with a programme of 5 sessions that runs over the year.

We will be starting a new cohort in September 2022.

Download: Transforming your school’s reading culture 2021-22 programme overview


 

Children’s Rights to Read

The Children’s Rights to Read initiative, founded on 10 fundamental rights every child deserves, was developed to ensure that every child, everywhere, has access to the education, opportunities, and resources needed to read.

 


The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is a national charity that tackles life’s big challenges – including loneliness and poor mental health and wellbeing – through the proven power of reading.

Recommended Reads

Books we love for January 2022: A selection of reviews of approx. 35 of our favourite new releases for 0-12 year olds for January 2022.

Diverse histories booklist: There are so many amazing stories to be found throughout history – but a lack of awareness about some of the events and people that have shaped the world. My Story: Sophia Duleep Singh author Sufiya Ahmed shares her favourite diverse children’s books that tell these stories.

Book Trust teams up with Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell and World Book Day for special #PassThePen: #PassThePen is Cressida Cowell’s initiative to promote emerging authors and illustrators of colour – and there will be a special World Book Day edition this year.

Blog: “The best thing you can be is yourself”: Frankie’s World author Aoife Dooley on being diagnosed with autism as an adult: Author Aoife Dooley talks about the sense of relief that came with her autism diagnosis as an adult, and how she hopes her graphic novel Frankie’s World will help neurodivergent children embrace who they are.

Watch Book Trust Illustrator-Writer in Residence Dapo Adeola read from his award-winning picture book Look Up!: This inspiring picture book by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola celebrates science, curiosity and passion. Settle down for a storytelling treat, as we introduce you to the space-mad little girl Rocket.

Reader Teacher

Books for Topics

Library Lady

Children’s Book show

Reading for Pleasure Tube Maps

Primary Empathy Lab Read Stories. Build Empathy. Make a better world. Books to build empathy – for children aged 4 – 11 #ReadForEmpathy

Books for Topics: Branching out Booklists https://www.booksfortopics.com/branching-out

The Reader Teacher https://www.thereaderteacher.com/

Sign up for the Open University Reading for Pleasure newsletter as it gives a wealth of information that covers all curricula areas in terms of books

Informal Book Talk Leaner-led, relaxed conversations around reading

Favourite Five 2021-22 Laura Ferran, one of our Literacy Specialists, shared the books she reads over the year during a reading cluster group for the hub.  If you look at the Early reading framework this talks about the importance of a core list of books to read aloud.  Laura spoke about how she adds and makes changes to this list as the year goes on but it gives her a structure for her and her team to work on.

Local Libraries

Our local libraries are a wonderful resource which enable schools and families to read as much as you like for free!

The Secret Book Quest is an exciting new reading challenge being run by the library for children ages 5 and up. Read a total of 50 books to collect all the stickers, decipher the code, and win a special prize. Children will get a certificate when they reach halfway (25 books) and another when they finish (50 books), along with a finisher’s prize.

To find out more take a look at their Secret Book Quests videos on YouTube!