"Reading Challenge 150"

BACKGROUND
The program will emphasize the importance of developing in young people the habit of reading. This initiative is a response to the review of reading research undertaken by Stephen Krashen in The power of reading (1992). Research indicates that students must read a lot to become good readers, and good readers consistently perform better in reading comprehension, spelling, vocabulary, grammar and writing style. The importance of free voluntary reading in helping to create readers needs to be recognized.

"independent reading is probably a major source of reading fluency. In contrast to workbook pages or computer drills, the reading of books provides practice in the whole art of reading. Practice in this form is likely to be particularly effective in increasing the automaticity of word identification skills. Avid readers do twenty times or more as much reading. This means that they are getting vastly more practice and helps explain why children who read a lot make more progress in reading." "Count on reading handbook" (p.10)

Research also emphasizes the importance of models in creating avid readers. Factors that have been identified as having lasting value include:

• Creating a print-rich environment at home, in the classroom, and in the library
• Providing unlimited access to materials from libraries
• Allowing young people to read what they like - including comics
• Reading aloud to young people everyday
• Using sustained silent reading as a tool
• Encouraging reading
  

FOR YOUR REFERENCE:

Ballard, Susan D. (ed.) Count on reading handbook: Tips for planning reading motivation programs. Chicago, IL: American Association of School Librarians, 1997.

Krashen, Stephen The power of reading Englewood, Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1993

Moloney, James Boys and books : building a culture of reading around our boys. Sydney : ABC Books, 2000

"READING CHALLENGE 150" PROGRAMME

During Term 2 and 3 2001, the library will be focusing on the promotion of reading for enjoyment for the Year 7s.

• Every Year 7 class will undertake to read at least 150 books before the Literature Festival or a target of a higher number, for example, 450 books per form group could be set (a little over 1 book per boy per week, 16 weeks)
• The emphasis will be on developing a reading habit in students through encouraging reading for enjoyment
  
• The program will complement existing reading programs in the English Curriculum. (Class set reading and the wider reading program books can be included in the tally of books read).
  
• Students will be able to read materials of their own choice, including magazines, newspapers, comics (2 magazines = 1 book, 1 comic = 1 book, Over 300 pages = 2 books, 5 daily newspapers = 1 book)
  

Student role Teacher role Library role
· Read books, magazines, comics, newspapers· Keep personal record· Have parent and teacher sign tally sheet · Encourage reading· Monitor progress· Verify student tally· Collect and collate tallies every day 6· Decide on most improved reader · Supply reading list· Promote reading· Display class tallies· Arrange prizes· Organise awards during Literature Festival (Monday 13th August)

PROMOTION

• The "challenge" will be promoted through English classes and Form groups
• We will offer a prize to the form group who reads the most books by the time of the Literature Festival in August (13th). We will also offer a prize to the most improved reader for each form
  
• Record keeping will be minimal. (See attached record sheet)
  
• The library will keep a record of class tallies and undertake other administrative procedures
  
• Posters, bookmarks, leaflets will advertise the challenge
  
• Weekly or monthly tallies will be published using a chart on display in the library & classrooms
  
• Announcements regarding progress of class targets at Assembly