A presentation from the Principal (Mr. Samuel) about the development of 'Reading Rich Environments' in classrooms.

1. PTA Meeting
Learning Environments – Class Reading Areas
16th January 2017
‘Aim High’
Respectful, Responsible, Safe

2.  Standards of reading on entry to our school are very
low
 As they progress through the our school, students’
standards of attainment, in reading, is low
 The most important academic skill for students to
learn is ‘to read’ (decode, understand, high-order
skills) – it allows them to access other areas of
learning
What Do We Know About Our
School / Students?

3.  Develop and foster an appreciation and ‘love’ for
reading
 Develop students that are confident readers
 Improve standards of attainment
Reading, What Are We Trying T0
Achieve?

4.  Effective Policy
 Well planned curriculum
 Effective teaching
 Access to high quality resources
 Raising the importance / profile
 Cross-curricular importance / opportunities
 Developing & encouraging ‘independent readers’
 Supporting parents in helping their children
How Do We Achieve That?

5.  Focussed reading lessons
 Cross-curricular opportunities
 Access to School Library – lessons & lending
 Guided reading sessions
 Group reading sessions
 1:1 reading sessions
 Reading support / interventions
 Home reading
 ‘Reading Rich Environment’
What Specific Strategies Do We Use?

6. Reading Rich
Environment

7.  Creativity
 Problem Solving
 Communicate
 Global Citizenship
 Emotional Intelligence
 Adaptable
 Digital Competence
What Are We Preparing Our Students
For?

8. Top 10 Skills 2020
(‘Top 10 Colleges, USA)
 Complex Problem Solving
 Critical Thinking
 Creativity
 People Management
 Coordinating With Others
 Emotional Intelligence
 Judgement & Decision Making
 Service Orientation
 Negotiation
 Cognitive Flexibility

9. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

10. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

11. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

12. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

13. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

14. What Do We Know About Work
(Learning) Environments

15. So, What
Should Our
Classrooms
Look Like?

16. What Is The Year?

19.  Help to create a ‘reading rich environment’
 Raises the importance of reading & develops high levels of
independence
 Creates an interesting, exciting and attractive place that
students want to engage with
 Is a valuable resource in develop both reading skills and
cross-curricular learning / understanding
 Provides an area that can be used to develop life-long skills
– creativity, independence, thinking, communication,
collaboration, problem solving etc.
 Can be used for a range of other purposes
So, What About Classroom Reading
Areas?

28.  Try to use a corner area of the room – box it in
 Decide on a theme – involve students
 Organise furniture (and floor covering)
 Consider displays – interesting, stimulating and relevant
 Consider resources – books, language games, listening
centre
 Consider way books are displayed and organised

So, What Should I Consider When
Designing My Reading Area?

29. Competition
Challenge
 To Design The BEST Reading
Area In The School
 All Class Libraries MUST be
completed by the end of the
February mid-term break.
 The ACEO will be judging the
winners week beginning 6th
March
Prize
 Best 5 Reading Areas will
receive prizes that can be used
to supplement and improve
the quality of their Class
Reading Areas.
 The top 3 Reading Areas will
each get a free trip to the
cinema.