The R factor A reading challenge

1
The R factorA reading challenge
2
Target Group

• Waid Academy and Cluster Group of associated
  Primaries
• All S1 pupils and P 7 pupils

3
Aims and Objectives

• Encouraging reading for pleasure
• Developing understanding of the Writers Craft
• Promoting liaison between P7 and S1
• Increasing use of IT in classroom

4
The Challenge

• Pupils divided into teams
• Each pupil to read 2 books minimum
• Pupils discuss books and form questions in groups
• Questions exchanged between schools in decorated
  batons
• Pupils answer questions
• Points awarded

5
The Project Group

• Carol McCance Project co-ordinator (Literacy
  Development Officer, Fife Council)
• Representative from each Primary School
  Anstruther, Colinsburgh, Crail, Elie, Pittenween
  St. Monans
• Representatives from Waid Academy Two members
  of the English Dept., a Learning Support teacher
  the School Librarian
• Head of Schools Library Service

6
Project timetable
7
Septemberpre-publicity planning

• Reading Habits Survey
• Explanatory letter to parents
• Pupils name the project reading groups
• Visiting writer booked to launch event
• Book List drawn up
• Funding agreed with Fife Council to purchase the
  books

8
Octoberthe launch

• Gill Arbuthnott, author of The Winterbringers
  launches the project with readings, questions
  book signing
• Prize presented for the naming of the project
• All pupils are divided into reading groups The
  Borrowers The Hogwarts
• Books delivered to appropriate schools

9
November /Decemberreading begins

• An introduction to the Writers Craft is
  presented to pupils
• Materials (Question Answer Sheets and Batons)
  prepared and delivered to schools

10
Januaryphase 2 begins

• Pupils reading the same book discuss the novel
  and compose questions
• Question sheets are completed
• Batons are decorated and labelled
• Batons are exchanged
• Pupils choose a second novel to read

11
Februaryphase 2 ends

• Pupils answer the questions that they have
  received
• Reading continues
• Score Sheets are displayed in each classroom

12
Marchphase 3

• First exchange completed batons returned to
  original schools
• Waid teachers visit primary schools to talk
  about the R Factor the Writers Craft
• Second exchange of batons
• Evaluation by staff and pupils

13
Evaluation

• Increased enthusiasm enjoyment of reading
• Pupil ownership of the project
• Peer learning across age groups, reading levels
  gender
• Enhanced collaborative working within across
  sector
• Innovative way of looking at Writers Craft
• Better awareness of the latest childrens fiction

14
Analysis of Results

• 2 surveys were undertaken the first in October
  2005 and the second in May 2006
• Survey 1 to discover P7 and S1 pupil attitudes
  to reading before the project
• Survey 2 to assess what pupils felt they had
  gained from the R Factor project

15
Survey 1

• Results were similar for both groups
• Girls showed more positive attitude to reading
  than boys
• Majority found reading easy exciting
• 40 were members of public libraries
• Most popular authors were Jacqueline Wilson,
• Roald Dahl, JK Rowling, Anthony Horowitz,
• Lemony Snicket Michael Morpurgo
• 56 of P7 boys and 70 of P7 girls
• regarded themselves as readers as did
• 60 of S1 boys and 80 of S1 girls

16
Survey 2

• Pupils were asked what they had gained from the
  project
• 76 enjoyed decorating the batons
• 67 had read some good books
• 66 had discovered some new authors
• 45 enjoyed writing questions for their partner
  groups
• 44 enjoyed listening to the visiting speaker
• 35 felt more enthusiastic about reading
• 30 enjoyed answering questions from partner
  groups
• 27 enjoyed talking about the books
• 18 did not enjoy the project

17
Feedback from pupils

• Pupil criticisms were mainly focused on
• The need for a wider selection of books and
  authors
• Problems with baton exchange
• Not being given enough time to talk about the
  books

18
Recommendations

• New books essential
• Good cross-sector communication
• More effective use of ICT
• More flexible approach to funding

19
Taking the Project Forward

• This project has been such a success that the
  intention is to run it again with the new P7 S1
  pupils.
• To maintain momentum, a reading challenge will be
  introduced for S2 in the style of the Carnegie
  Book Award.

20
(No Transcript)