Literacy Notes

Our Classroom Libraries

Last year all Year levels at BNPS were busy implementing the SMART spelling approach as well as embedding the Writer’s Notebook and the 6 + 1 Writing Traits into our literacy practice. We are continuing with these initiatives and beginning to reap the rewards of these excellent evidence-based approaches across the whole school. Children are transitioning from one year level to the next secure in the familiarity of routine and language during their literacy learning.

This year our focus will be on Reading and to this end we are creating classroom libraries. There is a multitude of research which shows, quite simply, that the amount of books children are exposed to is one of the most significant contributing factors to their ability to read.

By the end of last year we had purchased shelving and tubs for each learning area. These tubs will then hold as many books as we can possibly manage so that the children have access to a wide variety of interesting and well-written texts. They will be asked for their input regarding what they would like to read and also have the opportunity to sort the books and make judgements about categories. The tubs are clearly labelled so that the children can quickly and easily find a text that interests them.

The classroom library may be used in many ways to enhance reading skills as well as promoting a love of books. There may be opportunities to make 'Good Read' recommendations to their peers, participate in a mini-book club, be introduced to an author or text type that they may not normally choose – the possibilities are endless.

We are very excited about this initiative and look forward to seeing the classroom libraries evolve in each learning space. This is a work in progress and we will gradually build up our resources which may include magazines as well as books. Stay posted as we intend inviting donations of good quality reading material from our families in the near future! You will be notified via Compass when we are ready to go with this.

Yours in Literacy

Jo Taylor & Tania Purton 

Literacy Coordinators