The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research

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When you read a non-fiction book, you also consume an enormous amount of information on the subject you're reading about. There are several threads that run through all sections of the document and to which schools will want to give due consideration when reflecting on their English curriculum and reading provision. Schools that are part of CLPE’s community will, of course, be reassured that drawing on our evidence-based teaching approaches, training programmes, curriculum mapping guidance and resources, they already have much of this in place. Alongside each specific area of practice and provision explored, we have offered examples outlining how we can support you in implementing the recommendations. year-olds who choose to read books for pleasure outside of school are more likely to secure managerial or professional jobs in later life. 7

My teachers are bursting with enthusiasm and creatively which they’ve passed on to the children and other teachers” Headteacher, Power of Reading School You don't need to do this though. A step down is simply reading aloud. Still, the more you read (aloud or otherwise), the more your vocabulary will expand (naturally). Being well-spoken and articulate is a desirable trait to have in any skilled profession nowadays, so in a way, by reading a ton, you're not only having fun but also moving ahead in your career! Entertainment / Stress Reduction Another study discovered that reading is the best way to reduce stress – compared to taking a walk, having a cup of tea or coffee, and playing video games. The study found that even six minutes of reading can be enough to reduce stress levels by more than two-thirds. This is my first year using CLPE planning and I have to say that I feel that my English teaching has greatly improved. I am more enthusiastic in my teaching, my pupils have become more engaged, and there is far more speaking, listening, vocabulary, drama, role-play, art and writing woven throughout my teaching" Joanna Shobbrook, Year 5/6 Teacher, St Michael’s Primary School. Which do you think you'll absorb more from? Which do you think is more likely to help change your habits ? Books, of course!

Engaging in Art and Illustration - Teaching Approach

Higher literacy skills are associated with a range of positive societal benefits, including having a stronger sense of belonging to society and being more likely to trust others. 22 An online poll of over four thousand people from a representative sample in the UK revealed that regular readers for pleasure reported fewer feelings of stress and depression than non-readers, and stronger feelings of relaxation from reading than from watching television or engaging with technology intensive activities. 28

Loneliness can cause serious physical harm: the health impacts are believed to be on the level of obesity or smoking. 18 Per capita incomes are higher in countries where more adults reach the highest levels of literacy proficiency and fewer adults are at the lowest levels of literacy. 14We have loved being part of this learning this year and it has been one of the best training courses that I have ever been on. We will never move away from Power of Reading, it has been transformational in our school, for staff and the pupils." Carrie Hyland, Assistant Headteacher, Northwood Community Primary In the twenty years since CLPE’s Reader in the Writer research, our Power of Reading training programme , book recommendations and resources have continued to build expertise in teachers’ knowledge of children’s literature and children’s engagement and attainment in reading.

In short, if you want to succeed, you need to focus. And if you want to focus more , you can practice by reading books. 4. Improve Your MemoryAs you plan for the next academic year with this guidance in mind, you may find it useful to reflect on the following questions as a staff team: Having books in the home is associated with both reading enjoyment and confidence. Of children who report having fewer than 10 books in their homes, 42% say they do not like reading and only 32% say they are 'very confident' readers. For children who report having over 200 books at home, only 12% say they do not like reading and 73% consider themselves 'very confident' readers. 8 Reading has the ability to completely transform your life situation. Even though reading is required literacy teaching for schools, its application goes way beyond that of the academic setting. By harnessing the power of reading, ordinary people can develop skills that are otherwise inaccessible. Create an English curriculum in which children experience quality books across a wide range of literary forms which both reflect and broaden their lived experience.