An Oakfield Academy newsletter to inspire a summer of reading!
https://www.waterstones.com https://www.booktrust.org.uk https://www.lovereading4schools.co.uk https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/ks3 Good books for reluctant readers Key Stage 2 recommendations Key Stage 3 recommendations What should I read next? These sites are good for helping you find your next good book. Type in the name of a favourite book or author and you will be given recommendations: https://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/https://www.booktrust.org.uk/ Recommended reading for this summer and onwards!
Why should I read?
At Oakfield, we aim for our pupils to enjoy reading now, so that they become lifelong readers. Here are the reasons why we are passionate about promoting daily reading at the Academy: Research shows that daily reading is the single most important action that our pupils can take to improve their future attainment. By reading stories, we are broadening our knowledge of the world around us, even if we don’t notice it is happening. Reading for 15 45 minutes a day is known to improve achievement across all areas of learning. Knowledge of stories builds vocabulary and comprehension, which then informs our understanding of other subjects such as science, music, maths or history in fact, any subject you can think of! Reading builds empathy Reading increases our understanding of ourselves and each other. Studies show that reading can increase our emotional intelligence, as we understand a wider range of perspectives; we can learn more about what motivates the people around us. For example, reading ‘Harry Potter’ has been shown to improve children's attitudes toward sometimes marginalised groups such as refugees or asylum seekers. Reading makes your brain grow When we read, we create unique images in our minds of the actions, sights and sounds within a story, blending these with our own memories and experiences, all of which stimulates our neural pathways. Reading really does make your brain grow - wow! Finally, reading for pleasure has been found to improve well being; it can relax us, aiding our sleep and reducing feelings of loneliness. Books are the best medicine. Reading is a wonderful way of taking you to a new world We can travel to Hogwarts, take a trip to Narnia, visit South America or Saturn, all from the comfort of our own homes. Where would you like to travel to today?
How we support reading at Oakfield: Reading Achievement badges This year, we enjoyed a brand new reading award that celebrates outstanding reading practice. Using data from our Accelerated Reader program, we award bronze, silver, gold or platinum reading badges to further motivate all students to read regularly at home and at school. These cloth badges can be sewn onto students’ jumpers, just like our current merit badges. Reading Achievement badges—how to earn one: Certificate: 5 x 100% quizzes or 250,000 words Bronze badge: 10 x 100% quizzes or 500,000 words Silver badge: 20 x 100% quizzes or 1 million words Gold badge: 40 x 100% quizzes or 2 million words Platinum badge: 50 x 100% quizzes or 3 million words
Matthew Buzzington has a superpower he can turn into a fly! It’s just that it hasn’t happened yet, which is pretty bad timing really because there are robbers and flying pineapples out to get him. Can he make his superpower work?
A futuristic drama full of suspense from the UK Children's Laureate 2013 2015. Claire is keen to find out what her dad has been working on in his lab. He's been really excited about it and Claire knows it must be something that will make him even more famous. But the big reveal isn't at all what she expected and now Claire has a dilemma on her hands what do you do when your dad has created a monster...?
All our books incorporate many dyslexia friendly features to make them as accessible as they can be these include our own unique font that was designed by eyesight and dyslexia specialists to be extra readable. We take great care over the layout of our texts giving the words a lot of space on the page to stop it from feeling overcrowded. We also don’t justify our text, as this alters the spacing between words and gives paragraphs no shape, making it harder to read. Finally, we print on a much thicker cream or off white paper as this reduces the glare and show through. Our books are all hi lo, which means high interest but accessible for a wider range of abilities. Within our primary range for 7 12 year olds we include reading ages of 6, 7 and 8 years. This is the incredible tale of Matthew Henson, African American explorer, and his mission to reach the North Pole. This is a fascinating life, a great adventure and a compelling story of prejudice.
Jake and the other finalists in a writing competition have been invited to a stately house for a tour like no other. As their guide leads them through grand rooms, hidden nooks and magnificent grounds, they hear the stories of seven ghosts who haunt the halls. But strange shapes and shadows follow Jake as he journeys through the house and with each tale that Jake hears, he begins to feel more uneasy. All is not as it seems and soon Jake will discover that something is very, very wrong ...
Barrington Stoke is an award winning children’s publisher specialising in books for struggling and reluctant readers. We commission well known authors to write new stories for us so that those who struggle can be reading the same authors as their peers.
Key Stage 2 pupils: please take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge! All the information you need is in the link below. Your English teachers are looking forward to hearing all about your reading achievements on your return to Oakfield in September. Remember: daily reading is the single most important activity you can do this summer to improve your vocabulary and comprehension, so that you are even more successful in the next academic year. Aim for 15 45 minutes per day.
Adam Reynolds Head of Humanities
Michael Morpurgo’s 'Coming Home' I can't live without books because there's nothing better than a bedtime story with my children! Ms Cross Deputy Headteacher
Kate Morton’s ‘The House at Riverton’ I can't live without books because reading allows me the time to drift into another world that leaves me feeling relaxed and ready for whatever comes my way. Ms Peat Head of Year 7
‘The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy’ by Douglas Adams. I can't live without books because there is nowhere that you can't visit and nothing that cannot be imagined or created when you are lost in the pages of a good book. Ms Wilkes Headteacher My fave book is ‘Catch 22’ by Joseph Heller. I can't live without books because my life would be dull and colourless, I would smile and cry less, and I wouldn't sleep nearly as well! Mr Ward Y5 tutor/ EAL coordinator
I can’t live without books because… ‘A Short History of Nearly Everything’ by Bill Bryson I can't live without books because I trust them more than the internet to find out about nearly everything. Mr Snowdon Data Manager
‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’ by Khaled Hossieni I can't live without books because they allow me to switch off from my worries, and learn to understand how others feel, live and react to different things. Reading a good book can provoke many emotions and take you to many places. Ms Ellie Green Head of Year 5
‘The Far Pavilions’ by M M Kaye (Call me a romantic, lol) I can’t live without books because I love that I can escape to different worlds, times, and experiences from the comfort of my own room.
Ms Stewart Head of Art ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee I can't live without reading because it is an amazing medium to switch off from day to day life and also reading stories with my son and being able to enjoy new stories together with him.
I can't live without books as they bring back memories of reading to my children when they were younger. My favourite book is Slinky Malinky by Lynley Dodd it still makes me chuckle even now! Ms Sanders Attendance Officer Sebastian Faulkes’ ‘Birdsong’ I couldn't live without books because they transport me into another world where anything is possible. Ms Pegler ‘Lord of the Rings’ by JRR Tolkien I can't live without books because they allow you to become someone else and live in a new world, even if it is only for a short time.
Ms Roynon Teacher ‘How I Live Now’ by Meg Rosoff I can’t live without books because they teach me empathy and take me away to faraway places. Ms Mundy Teacher 'Clan of the cave bear' by Jeam M Auel I can’t live without books because they give you a chance to escape real life and relax and take time for yourself. Ms Malley Attendance Officer, SEN Administration I can't live without 'The House at Pooh Corner' by A. A. Milne, because a few minutes with Pooh, Tigger and Piglet make the day’s worries drift away. I giggle out loud at Pooh's stoutness exercises; with every song, I'm transported back to being a child and I can hear my dad singing: The more it SNOWS - tiddely pom, The more it GOES tiddely pom, The more it GOES tiddely pom
On You'resnowing.never too old to appreciate a Pooh Bear moment. Ms Nightingale Head of Year 8 ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory David Roberts I can't live without books because they allow me to travel the world and discover different cultures. Mrs Serrano MFL Teacher I can’t live without books because…
