Creating a Reading Culture in Primary and Secondary Schools: A Practical Guide

Children who identify as readers are three times more likely to have good mental wellbeing. Creating a Reading Culture in Primary and Secondary Schools can help teachers and librarians to advocate for the importance of a whole-school reading culture, select from research-supported strategies, develop a clear trajectory, and manage a multi-faceted approach to enable real change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Facet Publishing

Children who develop a love for reading from a young age are more likely to experience positive mental health outcomes throughout their lives. A reading culture that permeates a school environment can transform it into a place where reading is celebrated, supported, normalized, and valued. By fostering a reading culture in primary and secondary schools, educators and librarians can play a crucial role in promoting the importance of reading across the entire school community.

One of the key strategies for creating a reading culture is to advocate for the importance of reading within the school. Recent research in the field of reading education has highlighted the numerous benefits of a whole-school reading culture, including improved academic performance, increased engagement, and enhanced social and emotional development. Teachers and librarians can use this research to make the case for reading and to secure support from school administrators and policymakers.

In addition to advocating for reading, educators and librarians can select from a number of research-supported strategies that underpin a whole-school reading culture. These strategies may include promoting a love of reading through storytelling, book clubs, and author visits; providing access to a wide range of books and materials; and creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment that encourages reading and discussion.

Developing a clear trajectory for building and sustaining stakeholder engagement and resourcing is another important aspect of creating a reading culture. This may involve securing external funding for related initiatives, such as book grants or library renovations, and building partnerships with local organizations and community groups. Planning and managing a multi-faceted approach to enable real change within the school is also essential. This may involve implementing a reading program that targets specific student populations, providing professional development opportunities for teachers, and engaging parents and families in reading-related activities.

Drawing on the authors' extensive experience in this field, this book will be an essential resource for anyone looking to develop reading in schools. It provides a comprehensive guide to creating a reading culture that is tailored to the specific needs and resources of each school. The book includes case studies and examples from real-world schools that have successfully implemented reading programs, and it offers practical strategies and insights for educators and librarians who are working to promote reading in their communities.

In conclusion, a reading culture that permeates a school environment can have a profound impact on the mental health and academic success of students. By advocating for the importance of reading, selecting research-supported strategies, developing a clear trajectory for stakeholder engagement and resourcing, and implementing a multi-faceted approach, educators and librarians can help to create a school where reading is celebrated, supported, normalized, and valued. This book will be an essential resource for anyone looking to develop reading in schools.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 158 x 241 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783306398