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| This page will be designed to provide information to both pupils and parents about the first and second year English at Madras College. It will include the following information: course content, assessment, reading suggestions, independent and personal study ideas, and useful links. The S1 Reading Programme - Information for parents on the personal reading system, how it works, what your child will be expected to do, and how to support your child. Useful Links for Pupils and Parents The S1 Reading ProgrammeWhere can my child find a good book? What if my child finds reading difficult? Does my child have to finish a book if he/she doesn’t like it? How will I know if my child is making progress?
The SystemOne period a week - Personal Reading The pupil will read a book of his/her own choice for 30 minutes approximately during that period, AND AT HOME for at least another 30 minutes that week. He/she will fill in a Reading Log/Diary at the start and end of every reading period (see below). The Home-Reading Target will be at least as many pages as they have managed in class. BASIC PLAN Date: I did/did not/did more than meet my target. I am now on page.... of.... by.... Start time.... page.... Finish time.... page.... Total number pages.... • Tell the main thing that happened or that you found out from this bit. • Give a thought or comment about something in that bit, or a prediction, or why you want to read on. • My target for next week is to reach page.... (Now write this into your Homework Diary for the right day.) Q Is there a Reading List?No set List! But every English room, and the Library, has a bright colour-coded set of 20 Reading Cards eg Adventure books, Sports or Horror etc Title, author and short “blurb”, 16 books, back to back, on each card eg 16 Recent Prize-Winning Books. The Scottish Book Trust have since added their own colourful “Radical Reading” leaflets offering a wealth of choices. Q Where can my child find a good book?• The books on the cards and many others are available in the School Library, with access during Reading Period and/or at lunchtimes or after school. • St Andrews Children’s Library has a wide range of attractive books in its Teen Fiction sections. • Bookshops, Books from home . . . swaps with friends. The book does not have to be one from school. Encouraging a range of sources is vital. • The Cover-2-Cover leaflets offered twice a term - the latest attractive teen reads (order forms cut out and returned to English teacher with cash or cheques payable to Madras College). • Parents’ Evening Book Sales and School Bookfairs - take every chance to spark interest in a book! Q What if my child finds reading difficult?• If your child has a specific difficulty with reading, Audiobooks (books on Tape) might be the answer: a good story the same as their friends are reading, also widening their experience and range of vocabulary. • More likely, your child may be a weaker reader just needing a bit more practice - with a really good book to keep them hooked: see Starter Points and Short ‘N’ Easy book cards. • If your child is a slower reader, but is enjoying a longer book, help them along by reading a few chapters to them: enjoyable for everyone, especially if it’s “Harry Potter”! • Your child might like to join the Paired Reading Scheme, where a 6th Year reads along with a first year to improve their reading skills. Q Does my child have to finish a book if he/she doesn’t like it?No. But with teacher advice, a range of books to suit all levels and interests, and a positive attitude, pupils should be enjoying and finishing their books. Note: Pupils often say they are enjoying a book reading it in class. Then at next week’s reading period they say they want to change it - it‘s boring. On closer questioning, it emerges they have just forgotten the story as they didn’t do their reading homework. The book is not boring. The reader has been lazy! Q How else can I help my child?When/where does your child read? It’s often easiest to read in bed before going to sleep (a bedside light can help). Fifteen minutes or so at least twice a week, is essential (preferably most nights). YOU are the ones who can really help here.... Switch off the TV, off to bed, and “have you got your book?” Just look in later.... Are they reading? Often the book gets exciting and they have to be stopped, light switched off.... That’s real progress! If you enjoy reading, and show it has a place in your life, your child will often read too. Q How will I know if my child is making progress?• Keep ‘light’ tabs on their reading - use Support Checklist (see over). • Your child’s Reading Log will come home for you to read, sign and comment at the end of every term. SUPPORT CHECKLIST• Do you know which day your child has their Reading period? (Helpful morning reminder: “Have you got your reading book in your bag?”) • Do you know which book your child is reading this week? Is he/she enjoying it? (.... a light interest and passing questions, sharing enthusiasm rather than interrogation!) • Have you seen your child reading at least twice this week? (Just looking in.... Teenagers want privacy, but parents need to know home-reading - as with any other homework - is being done!) • Do you know what his/her Reading Target was for this week? Has he/she met it? (Be enthusiastic, praise up, where they’re doing well and constructive concern when targets are not being met.) • Have you taken your child to the local Library/bookshop/seen the twice termly Cover-2-Cover leaflets? The latest new books can spark their interest. • Have you read and signed (+ comment welcome) your child’s Reading Log at the end of last term? Useful Links for Pupils and ParentsLearning and Teaching Scotland Information on a range of aspects including the 5 to 14 curriculum. BBC WebGuide for S1 and S2 A selection of useful sites for pupils.
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Send mail to HYNESJ@madras.fife.sch.uk with
questions or comments about this web site.
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