RATED OUTSTANDING BY ADEK AND BRITISH SCHOOLS OVERSEAS BSAK LITERACY READING AT HOME TOP SCHOOL AWARDS 2022 Best School in the UAE for Fine Art and Creative Studio Work TOP SCHOOL AWARDS 2022 Best School for Post-16 Education in the UAE
READING AS A KEY FACTOR
One of The British School Al Khubairat's main priorities is to raise the literacy attainment of all students. Reading has been shown to be a key factor in successfully raising literacy and academic attainment. To support this, students should be taught to read fluently and to accurately comprehend information, and be encouraged to read for pleasure.
Years of educational research has found a significant correlation between vocabulary knowledge and academic performance. The more reading you do, the more vocabulary you will encounter. This will benefit academic performance in two main ways:
● If you understand more vocabulary, you will be able to use it in your own writing, increasing the quality of your communication.
1. Quality, not quantity.
It has been said countless times before.
‘15to20minutesofreadingperday’
Whilst this is true, it is not the time spent reading that is the main indicator or growth. It is the typeof texts we read. If we want to stretch our vocabulary knowledge to support academic performance, we need to be reading texts that have challenging vocabulary. Not too challenging, but challenging nonetheless. News articles, biographies, autobiographies and novels are all examples of quality texts that everyone should be reading on a daily basis.
2. Variety and balance is key.
We want all children to become lifelong readers, so they have to enjoy what they read. Whilst we want challenging texts to enhance vocabulary, for every one of these, there should be a text that we read for pleasure. This also applies to the balance of fiction and non-fiction. Variety and balance is key.
3. Following up with talk.
People at home should engage in conversations about what their child is reading. Asking questions about what they have just read, who their favourite character is, what new word they have discovered or what they predict is going to happen next will reinforce vocabulary growth and comprehension skills. Talking with children about texts is an essential part of the learning process and we want this to be present in school and at home.
READING TIPS
4. Reward Reading
Positive reinforcement and praise are big motivators for reluctant readers to pick up a book.
At BSAK, we use the Accelerated Reader programme to reward eager readers, but incentives can come in any form, and can be specific to your family. If children know there is a positive outcome to them finishing a book, you should see an increased enthusiasm
TOP 5
BSAK STAFF RECOMMEND
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don't stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. After 15 years of homeschooling, Stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the Mica student body.
‘It’s a lovely story about a girl who isn’t afraid to be different. It celebrates her uniqueness in a really authentic and honest way.’
Recommended by Mrs Wrynn Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider thinks he is a normal boy, until his uncle dies in an accident. However, Alex knows it was no accident and discovers that his uncle was actually a spy on a mission to stop a conspiracy when he died. Alex is recruited by Alan Blunt of MI6 to continue the mission.
‘The first installment in the hugely popular spy series. Once you pick up Stormbreaker, you won’t be able to put it down.’
Recommended by Mr SterlingRECOMMENDED READS
AUTHOR BOOK TITLE GENRE
Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl [series] Fantasy/ Adventure
Roald Dahl Boy Autobiography
Michael Morpurgo
Private Peaceful War
J.K Rowling
Harry Potter [series] Fantasy
Darren Shan Cirque Du Freak [series] Horror
Lemony Snicket
A Series of Unfortunate Events [series] Mystery\ Dark humour
J.R.R Tolkien The Hobbit Fantasy
SYNOPSIS
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius, and above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy.
Roald Dahl recounts his days as a child growing up in England, from his years as a prankster at boarding school to his envious position as a chocolate tester for Cadbury's.
A stunning novel of the First World War, a boy who is on its front lines, and a childhood remembered.
Harry Potter's life is miserable. He never knew his real parents and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard.
Cirque Du Freak is the frightening saga of a young boy whose visit to a mysterious freak show leads him on a journey into a dark world.
This saga tells the very unfortunate tale of three very unlucky children, who attempt to escape an ever-growing threat lurking at their heels.
Now recognised as a timeless classic, this introduction to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf, Gollum, and the spectacular world of Middle-earth recounts the adventures of a reluctant hero, a powerful and dangerous ring, and the cruel dragon Smaug the Magnificent.
Looking for more wonderful suggestions?
Please contact your English teachers who will be able to offer a wealth of book recommendations.
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