Library News
Read for Your Life
The Read for Your Life challenge 7 - 10, has blasted off with many students and classes already on the way to over a million words mark and climbing.
"So many books, so little time"!
It's hard by yourself but better together, with your whole class reading the race is on to go beyond a million words from now to Monday 5th September.
The great news is reading is good for you. It does your mind and body a power of good. It gives you time out and relaxation. Just think, no dishes, no cleaning up your room, no putting out the rubbish - I've got important books to read!
Reading joins the dots together in your brain, gives you better understanding and background knowledge, greater vocabulary and ability with words, better ideas, an empowered imagination, and the power to learn, dream, create and grow.
Reading is actually a magical secret power, but that's another story! Take the challenge, read for fun and learning and help your class win the pizza and the movie and book prizes!
For all the details, check the bottom of this post.
Mr Anderson / Library
Benefits of Reading Books
1 - Reading books can boost your brain power
Neuroscientists have discovered that reading a novel can improve brain function on a variety of levels. Research has found that when you are engaged in a novel, it enhances connectivity in the brain. So, it seems reading can make you smarter!
2 - Reading books increases vocabulary
As you read different books, you are being exposed to new and different vocabulary that you may not use on a daily basis. Having a large vocabulary has many advantages and helps you understand the world around you.
3 - Reading books can be beneficial to your memory
Studies show that reading books and stimulating your brain can actually improve your memory.
4 - Reading can improve concentration
Reading is essential for literacy development. It can also improve your concentration. While watching television is a passive activity, reading books encourages you to relax, calm your mind and concentrate on the words that are being absorbed.
5 - Reading books can make you a better writer
Reading and writing skills go hand in hand. The more you read, the better your writing skills will be.
6 - Reading books enhances imagination
Reading books gives you endless possibilities to use your imagination. By reading, you are stimulating the right side of your brain and letting your creativity run wild.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create." - Albert Einstein
7 - Reading can make you more empathetic
Reading helps you with the ability to put yourself into someone else's shoes, detect how they are feeling and experience it yourself. This helps us to have understanding of different people, cultures and situations.
8 - Reading can be a great benefit to your sleep
Studies show that reading any type of book can help you relax and reduce your stress levels, helping you to fall asleep easier, and sleep better during the night.
9 - Reading a book helps to reduce stress
Psychologists believe that reading a book for even just six minutes can distract you and ease tensions in your muscles and heart.
10 - A good book provides endless entertainment
Reading can provide endless opportunities to entertain no matter what your age or your interest, and perhaps this is the greatest advantage of reading.
Where to find books?
Libraries, bookshops, opportunity shops, department stores, friends' houses, newsagents, pop up libraries, order online, garage sales and markets.
Read for Your Life Challenge Details
Read for your life is a reading competition for English classes in Years 7 - 10. 50 days of fabulous, frenetic, fantastic reading.
The competition runs from Monday 18th July to Monday 5th September.
There are no limits to the books you can read.
You must read books you haven't read before.
Teachers can join the competition too.
Prizes include class pizza, new books and a movie at lunch time for the class that reads the most!
An example; each of the books in Andy Griffith's 13-Storey Treehouse series has about 10,000 words. Each of the books in Morris Gleitzman's Once, Then, Now series has about 30,000 words.
Register with your English teacher or the Library.