Round-up and news: August 2007 Issue
Big Wild Read is the thrilling theme for the annual Summer Reading Challenge which runs in public libraries through the summer holidays, and is supported by leading children's publishers. Children borrow and read up to six books, collecting stickers for each book they read. At the end of the summer they get
a certificate recording their achievement, and a medal if they have completed the challenge. If you'd like to make sure your children keep reading during the summer holidays, support the challenge by promoting
it in school. Promotional materials can be downloaded from website.
Scholastic's Reading Around the World Campaign, featuring some great competitions, also aims to encourage children to read this summer. See pages 16 - 17 for more details or log onto the website.
Every Child A Reader is a scheme that gives focused support, in the form of highly-skilled Reading Recovery teachers, to children who are significantly behind expected reading levels. Initially targeting inner-city London schools, a report (The long-term costs of literacy difficulties, KMPG) on the scheme has shown that for every £1 spent on the Every Child A Reader Scheme, £16 is saved on special needs support, the cost of truancy and exclusions, and costs associated with crime, unemployment and depression.
This is one reason why the Government has decided to roll out the scheme across the country. Centres are being developed to train classroom teachers to become Reading Recovery Teachers. This is a one session a fortnight, year long course. 250 teachers are being trained this year. For more information visit www.everychildareader.org and www.readingrecovery.org.uk.
Free books!
We've got 10 signed copies of Darkside, by Scholastic's newest talent Tom Becker, to give away to lucky read me readers! See page 6 for more details of the book and page 24 for an insight into what makes Tom Becker tick! For your chance to win a free copy e-mail your name and the address of your school to carriem@scholastic.co.uk by 28 February 2007.
10 winners will be picked on 1 March 2007. Good luck!
