CHILDREN'S READING GROUP IDEAS

There are lots of ways to get children reading that you can use as a focus for your Reading Group. Here are some already being used in the UK plus some other suggestions for British Council offices.

Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards

The Carnegie medal is awarded to the writer of an outstanding book for children; the Kate Greenaway Award os for book illustration. UK librarians are invited to nominate titles for the shortlist and once the shortlisted titles are announced, children have the opportunity to give their views on the books in a 'shadowing' scheme. Groups of children from schools and libraries take part in the shadowing scheme by reading the books and sharing their opinions of them with their peers and other shadowing groups across the country using the awards’ website. Last year an estimated 30,000 children in the UK got involved. The shortlist of titles – usually between five and eight for each medal – is announced around the end of April. Schools and libraries participating in the shadowing scheme purchase the shortlisted titles. The children read the books and take part in related activities such as writing reviews on the awards’ website, art competitions, making pop-up books, sharing the picture books with younger brothers and sisters, keeping reading diaries about the books which are displayed in the library and so on. They select their favourite book in each category. This initiative enables children to participate in their own award and compare their views with the ‘professionals’ and other children. It develops their analytical skills, communication, confidence, literacy, language skills and broadens their reading. It is a national event which gives them the opportunity to communicate with children across the UK using the website.  

Shadowing groups could be established in British Council libraries and teaching centres. The shadowing scheme lasts between two and three months so it is a good opportunity to try the reading group model with young learners. The shadowing initiative can also provide a good link with local schools and other organisations. This idea can be adapted for other prizes. In 2007 it is the Carnegie and Greenaway Anniversary, to celebrate these anniversaries CILIP will be awarding a 'winner of winners' medal chosen from the full list of winners for both the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medal. The medal will be chosen by childrens reading groups and librarians from across the UK. www.encompassculture.com reading groups will also be able to get involved through our series of online chats with Carnegie and Greenaway winning and short-listed authors, a long-list discussion board and weblogs by young people reading the long-list of winners. 
 

Chatterbooks

Chatterbooks is a Reading Group scheme, developed by the Reading Agency in partnership with communications company Orange, aimed at 4–12 year olds and encourages members to read a variety of different books, visit the library and develop their confidence in expressing personal views on reading. Orange provide a Chatterbooks pack, which includes a reading diary, magnetic bookmark, review notepad, stickers and a game that is given to each member. The packs are not branded. Chatterbook Reading Groups meet fortnightly or monthly and they discuss books they have read. There are no specific requirements of the groups and many allow the children to direct the focus of the activities and discussions. Some agree a specific theme. Refreshments are always provided. An evaluation of the initiative identified that it had developed children’s reading confidence and enjoyment, built social skills and supported the national literacy strategy and citizenship agenda. There are over 3,000 children who are members in the UK. Most groups are co-ordinated by library staff in public libraries and the groups tend to focus on a two-year age range between 4 and 12 (e.g. 5–7, 8–10, 10–12). Children volunteer to be part of the group and regular library users are encouraged to join. Most groups have between 10 and 15 members. Chatterbooks can also be family reading groups where parents and siblings attend and share their enjoyment of reading with other families.

Chatterbooks could be set up in British Council libraries and teaching centres. Each member would receive a Chatterbooks pack, take part in the group activities and share their reading experiences with the other members.

English Language Teaching

• Children learning English can select books to suit their reading age and interest and then practice their English by adding a review or posting a message on the webboard. An interactive chat is fun especially if you can arrange to meet with another British Council ELT reading group or a school in the UK. To arrange to a chat or set up a special discussion thread for your group on the webboard contact the Online Reader in Residence

• British Council Young Learners Centres can use the enCompassCulture children’s literature area to develop reading lists and resources for young students.

Imagine

Imagine is a British Council interactive exhibition for children, exploring the relationship between art, story and the imagination. It features an exciting range of hands-on activities, including writing, drawing and designing. Many of the books included in the exhibition have a multicultural emphasis and the exhibition as a whole is very suitable for activities with children and young learners. The original version of this exhibition, was a creative partnership between Barefoot Books and Manchester Art Gallery, and featured the original artwork of these illustrators along with the books and many activities. The Imagine exhibition is split into four sections reflecting some of 'the places stories can take you'. These sections are Animals and Creatures, Long Ago and Far Away, Faeries and Forests, and Families and Friends. These themes can be explored at children's reading groups. For more information about Imagine contact Sarah Howes. 
 

Magic Pencil

The Magic Pencil is a British Council touring exhibition of book illustrations selected by Quentin Blake, the distinguished children's author, illustrator and first Children's Laureate. The exhibition shows how today's illustrators reflect contemporary concerns with originality and force. Thirteen illustrators are included in the exhibition. The exhibition opened in the UK in 2002 and is still touring. A facsimile exhibition was also produced that includes a selection of illustrations taken from the Magic Pencil exhibition and is now available in 30 countries around the world. You can see the illustartions and find out more about the illustrators including information about their book at the Magic Pencil website. It also has ideas for reading, writing, drawing and storytelling projects based around the exhibition and books.

Reading the Game

An initiative from The National Literacy Trust that uses football to promote literacy and lifelong learning. They produced activities for teachers and librarians avaiolbale on their website. We will be adding a Sports in Literature booklist and reading compass later in 2004.

Reading Trails

Set up a book trail themed around different subjects such as Ghost Stories, Magic, Animal Stories chosen from EnCompass. The children read a book and write a review for the site. They could be asked to complete an activity such as drawing a scene from the book or if you choose one from the Magic Pencil, there are lots of activity sheets available on the site.
 

Stories from the Web
Stories from the Web is a reader development programme managed in the UK by Birmingham Libraries. It takes the form of a website for young learners aged 8–14 years, containing a wide range of book extracts and poetry to encourage young learners to discover more about authors and books. In addition there are a range of fun, informative and interesting activities accompanying the extracts to engage young learners in a range of creative reading, writing and drawing activities. All work received is displayed in the ‘gallery’ area of the web site and can be viewed by people around the world who visit the site. The aim is to stimulate the imagination of young learners aged between 8–14 and encourage them to creatively enjoy stories using the intranet; enable young learners to engage in book-based discussions with children all over the world; allow children to e-mail authors and publishers; encourage the development of young learners’ traditional and electronic literacy skills; and to encourage young learners to use their libraries and read more books.  The website is based around story extracts and poetry. Young people are encouraged to contribute their own reviews, stories and poetry for display and also have the opportunity to comment about the site, ask questions and respond to other young people’s comments and get involved with many other activities. Stories from the Web offers online support materials for teachers and librarians to download and printout.

Stories from the Web is a subscription-based service.

Storysacks

Storysacks are cloth bags with resources related to a story book which are designed to bring stories to life and help parents, teachers and librarians share stories with children. Each sack contains a story book, a related non-fiction book, a parent guide (which is for use by any adults using the sack), soft-toy characters and props that can be used to tell the story, a game and an audio cassette of the story. Storytelling is an important aspect of sharing and enjoying books and reading. It can be used with a wide range of groups to develop reading and literacy skills amongst children. There are a number of skills and strategies which are required to tell a story well. The Storysack concept can be used by library and information staff and teachers to engage young learners in stories. It can be used to support parents to help them become more involved in developing their children’s skills and having fun together. Former Head Teacher Neil Griffiths has created Storysacks and they are produced by a company called Storysack Limited. The sacks can be purchased individually or as a library of 30 sacks plus theatre and hand puppets. Some organisations in the UK have adapted the idea of Storysacks and have made their own.

Summer Reading Challenge

The Summer Reading Challenge is the largest UK reading promotion for young people aged 4–11 years and is organised by The Reading Agency. It is run in public libraries during the school holidays and each year takes a different theme (1999 The Reading Safari; 2000 The Reading Relay; 2001 The Reading Carnival and Reading Challenge Plus; 2002 The Reading Planet; 2003 The Reading Maze; 2004 Reading Roller Coaster, 2005 The Reading Voyage and 2006 The Reading Mission). The Summer Reading Challenge is aimed at 4–12 year olds and simply challenges children to read at least six books during the summer holidays. Each year lively themes and graphics are chosen allowing libraries to explore new images, events, activities, and partnership opportunities. The children are given a personal folder in which to collect cards or stickers as they proceed and a prize medal and certificate at the end. Ideas and activity sheets encourage further response to books through writing, drawing and creative work. There are posters, banner, wall displays and display bins. The core package consists of invitations, collector folders, stickers, posters, banners, bookmarks and medals. Evaluation is proving that taking part makes a difference to children’s reading confidence, skill, enjoyment, and motivation.

The 2004, 2005 and 2006 Summer Reading Challenge books for children 4–6 and 7–12 years old are on the Children's section of the enCompass site as part of the Pot Luck reading compasses.

• Use the webboard to discuss books in the Summer Reading Challenge. The British Council offices that particpated in the Summer Reading Challenge used the web board and also had chats with other reading groups about the books for the Summer Reading Challenge. To arrange to set up a special discussion thread for your group on the webboard or a chat contact the Online Reader in Residence

• Add reviews for the books to the site.

Swap-a-book

This is an annual campaign that encourages readers to swap books with friends. Co-ordinated by the The National Literacy Trust. The initiative is deliberately vague so organisations, schools and libraries can adapt it to suit their environment. They produce posters, postcards and an ideas sheet. THis is a good idea for a reading group to encourage children to talk about their reading to their peers, teachers and library staff. It could include parents and families as well. In the UK, the focus for Swap-a-book events is around International Literacy Day, which usually takes place on the first or second Friday in September.

Text on Text

Derbyshire Libraries encouraged young people to send in text message reviews of books they had read. The reviews were restricted to 160 characters and were displayed in the library. To tie in with encompass the reviews can be uploded to the website. It could be part of a competition. The Online Reader in Residence could select the best reviews and showcase them on this site.

Words on Wheels

A colourful bus full of books. Scottish Book Trust runs a touring programme in Scotland that takes both children's authors and a wide range of the latest children's books to schools in Scotland. Birmingham's Words on Wheels bus provides groups of children with the opportunity to find out what is available at their local library, read books, listen to audio books, play games and sing songs. It visits schools, nurseries and community groups such as women's refuges, children's homes and refugee centres. The bus is equipped with books, magazines, literacy and language games, cassette and video players and information for parents and carers. Sessions are provided for those involved with children's reading and parents on storytelling, selecting books and using books to deal with specific issues. Authors, illustrators and poets run sessions for children on writing and reading.

World Book Day

Celebrate World Book Day on 23 April unless you live in the UK when it will be 3 March 2005. An opportunity to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. In the UK each year has a different theme or focus. 

Young Cultural Creators

Young Cultural Creators is an innovative approach to reader and writer development for young people in the UK that focuses on visual literacy and pioneers a key role for libraries in partnership with teachers, galleries, museums and archives. It pioneers a role for libraries to work together in partnership with galleries, museums and teachers. Why not adopt some of the principles to develop integrated arts, library, reading and English language teaching events to develop language skills, literacy and cultural awareness. British Council events could be based around traveling exhibitions such as The Magic Pencil or through parttnerships with local galleries and museums. The aim is to :inspire young people's reading and creativity; develop the skills and awareness of the professionals taking part in the project – teachers, library staff, museum and archive educators and publishers; open up the use and enjoyment of library, gallery, museum and archives by young people and their families. It does this by: bringing children into contact with the combination of original works of art and artefacts, and with children’s writers and illustrators who talk about chosen pictures and artifacts and link them to their own work. 
 

Calendar of Events

Taking part in themed annual events can provide a focus for your Reader Group activities with young people. Here is a calendar of major reading events in the UK.

You could also take a look at Creative Reading Projects in the UK and Where can I join a Reading Group? for useful ideas for your Reading Group.