Last month we took a look at how the art of storytelling could be used in the classroom, as inspired by National Storytelling Week.
We have another great reason to look towards the educational opportunities to be found in the world of literature tomorrow in the form of World Book Day. This yearly event is another fantastic initiative to promote a love of reading in both primary and secondary schools: “It’s a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly) it’s a celebration of reading.”
Schools around the country have been encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character, tweet about what they are reading, set reading challenges and take part in discussions about various themes such as empathy and diversity as found in the books they have read.
In October, the BBC identified that:
“Just over a quarter of 35,000 children from 188 schools told the National Literacy Trust that they read outside of school. About the same number said they did not think their parents cared if they read.”
Taking this into account, anything that acts to encourage children to read can only be a good thing, whether it is through activities such as dressing up as a book character, using a technological device such as an e-reader, or watching films based on books.
In January, the BBC reported on a list of children’s favourite books compiled by Renaissance Learning. It stated that the books most frequently identified were those that had also been made into films: The Harry Potter series, The Hobbit and The Hunger Games, to name a few.
What is most apparent to me is the fact that these events need to transcend the day, week or month in which they are centred and act as a springboard to encourage further reading. If your school is getting involved in World Book Day, make sure the enthusiasm for reading is sustained by looking at the ways you can adapt activities into a long-term approach.
What is your school doing for World Book Day? Share your ideas below!
