Reading for Pleasure

 

Reading helps me to relax. When I'm reading, magical things happen, it feels like I've been transported into a new world  where lots of exciting things happen and I get to meet the characters. I love reading with my children, this is when the story and the characters come alive. Reading helps with our imagination and improves our writing and vocabulary skills.

Ms Mabier 

 

 

A love of reading can help children do really well at school as well as giving them a better understanding of other cultures, increase their understanding of how others may be feeling (empathy), a better general knowledge and even a greater insight into us as humans and what makes us tick. Most importantly though it's fun and it's a fantastic way to relax and escape.

 

Reading is both like an intense workout and a meditation for the mind. Some books can feel like lifting heavy weights where you feel your mind getting stronger. Other books can feel like a peaceful stroll on the beach and you can feel your mind relaxing, drifting off. And there are even some special books that feel like both. Reading really is magic.

Mr Hussain 

 

 
So what is reading for pleasure and why do we value it so highly at St.Mary's?
 
Reading for pleasure literally means any reading for enjoyment. The thing is, it doesn't have to be just books! It can be newspapers, magazines, text messages, online articles, the back of a cereal box- anything that we find enjoyable!
 

I have always enjoyed reading and when I became a mum it was so important for me to read to my children and engage them in stories. Both my daughter and son have been read to from the moment they were born! I love how excited they become as we turn each page and how they are mesmerised by the characters and the pictures in each book. It's magical!

Mrs Moors

I love reading because it takes me to a world of fantasy and imagination and let's me forget my worldly worries.

Mrs Chunara 

 
This is so important during the strange times that we find ourselves in, that we can find hope and pleasure in books of all kinds. As it is difficult to get hold of books at the moment why not use one of the following links. There are lots of fantastic stories on there...I've been listening to Harry Potter on audible...and the best thing is it's free! If you find yourself at a loose end, why not try one of the fun activities provided!
Check these out:
 
This has a huge range of free audio books to listen to including Harry Potter. 
 
 
 
Opportunity to listen to lots of David Walliams books
https://www.theschoolrun.com/reading-challenges-for-primary-school-kids
This link contains lots of reading challenges for children
 
https://www.researchify.co.uk/audiobooks.html
Contains the word/pdf/audio version of 6 books-for older children
 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/skillswise/reading-for-pleasure/zj37cqt- activities parents can do at home with children
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Access to thousands of enhanced digital books -  https://readon.myon.co.uk/library/browse.html
 
 

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I love reading especially books aimed at younger children as the words help bring the pictures to life and this means children feel inspired to write and draw.

Mr Bulmer 

 
Activities to do after reading a book:
 
Design a new cover for the book.
 
Imagine you are inside the book. What character would you be and why? How would you change the story if you were one of the characters?
 
Have a look at the problem in the book. Think of another solution to the problem.
 
Write a book review-explain the book briefly and write about whether or not it was a good book and if you would recommend it to others to read. Why?
 
Describe how the story made you feel. Can you relate to the characters? Did it make you happy/sad?
 
Create a comic strip of one scene from the book.
 

Write to the author- Write what you liked or disliked in the book. What might you change if you were to improve it? Take your child's feedback seriously and mail it to the author or publisher.

 

Paint or draw a picture or scene from the book

 

Retell the story in your own words

 

Summarise a factual text using a mind map

 

Draw a character from a story- compare it with someone else who has read the book

 

Some great stories to enjoy here.....Who needs celebrities! ....Read by our gorgeous staff .... 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6PSWoGPV4A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJpwQfMlqoE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g38sNB8s6q8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejNC0AwCjtQ#action=share 

 

https://vimeo.com/400986342  Jabari Jumps

https://vimeo.com/402546878 On The High Street
https://vimeo.com/403308707  Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
https://vimeo.com/409774882  What the Ladybird Heard
https://vimeo.com/410184556 What the Ladybird Heard Next
https://vimeo.com/411026658  What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday
https://vimeo.com/411422477  We Are Together
https://vimeo.com/412450970 Under the Same Sky
 

 

I love reading and I love books. I love the feel of them and I love flicking through the pages and looking at the words and pictures. There is something very special about books, something which should never be lost and never be taken over by technology. 

Ms Jenkins 

 

Reading is incredibly important for lots of reasons. It can develop your vocabulary and knowledge as well your imagination and creativity. But it can also transport you to another place. Somewhere in your mind where you’ve never been before. A clever author can make you feel like you are really there, experiencing the sights and sounds of places, even the smells. This is the true magic of books.’

Miss Jenkins