ST DUNSTAN'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL
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What we Read in Class

"Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."
Margaret Fuller
​A class reader is a book that we read together in the class, over an extended period of time. The class reader, whether a longer novel or a picture book, is an essential part of our classroom. It is the most important way that we can model our enthusiasm for reading and create that magic and excitement, that goes hand in hand hand with reading a good book.


Every day, when we read to the children, we are all transported to a world in which we can all connect in a different way. For some it might offer escape and relaxation; for some it might show them that there is a different world and ways of life beyond the one they live in; or it may trigger emotions close to the heart, as the characters grapple with difficult adventures, friendships and hardships. By sharing these experiences together, we build a sense of community.


As well as creating a positive, pleasurable experience, there are many benefits of reading a whole class text:
  • Encountering new words and enriching vocabulary
  • Helps children appreciate the beauty and rhythm of language
  • Children can enjoy and understand texts beyond their own reading ability.
  • Enhances imagination and observation skills
  • Improves critical and creative thinking skills
  • Expands a child’s general knowledge and understanding of the world
  • Empathy is developed as they make connections with the experiences of the characters in the text and with each other
  • Fluent, expressive reading is modelled
  • Enables them to make meaning from more complex texts
  • Conditions the brain to associate reading with pleasure
  • Plants a desire to read

As Sally Betteridge, of The University of Nottingham, states: “The joy and wonder on their faces as you capture them in the imaginary world of the story – they are hooked on your every word and you hear that unanimous sigh as you announce that it’s time to stop reading. You know that it has captured them as they discuss it with you at playtime, or any opportunity they have. The shared community that is created and that sense of belongingness is magical.”

Have a look at some of the amazing books we read in each key stage across the year...

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St. Dunstan's Catholic School, Drayton Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7LP
Tel: 0121 464 4648   Fax: 0121 464 4028
Mrs Gilbride (School Business Manager): enquiry@stdunstans.bham.sch.uk
Website by ​Gabriel Media Limited
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  • Home
  • School Diary
  • Our School
    • Staff >
      • Teaching Staff
      • Support Staff
      • Admin & Premises Staff
      • Parent Support CoOrdinator
      • SENDCo
    • Safeguarding >
      • Designated Safeguarding Leads
      • Pupil Wellbeing
      • Safeguarding & PREVENT
      • Recruitment & Visitors
      • E-Safety >
        • At School
        • Safer Internet Day 2021
        • Help & Advice
        • Social Media and Gaming
    • Special Educational Needs
    • Governing Body >
      • Governing Body Information
      • Parent Governor Election >
        • Vacancy November 2022
    • Policies
    • External Inspections & Data
    • Pupil Premium
    • GDPR
    • COVID-19 >
      • Letters & Information
    • P.E and Sports Premium
    • School Council
    • British Values
    • Live Simply
    • Walk to School
    • Gallery >
      • Virtual Nativity
      • World Book Day, 2020
      • Year 6 Retreat, 2020
      • Inspire for Year 6 Confirmandi Children
      • Y4 Residential 2019
      • Stem Club visit The Big Bang Fair, 2019
      • Year 3 Lickey Hills, 2019
      • City Kitchen
      • Anker Wood, 2019
      • World Book Day, 2019
      • Year 3's Harry Potter Day, 2019
      • PGL, November 2019
    • Friends Of St Dunstan's
    • Vacancies
  • Parent Zone
    • Prospective Parents >
      • Admissions
      • The Orchard Club
      • School Tour
      • School Meals & Drinks Information
    • Term Dates
    • School Letters & Newsletters
    • Coronavirus Information
    • MarvellousMe App
    • School Gateway
    • Extra Curricular Clubs & Trips
    • School Meals
    • Parents Evening Booking
    • Forms For Parents
    • School Uniform
    • General
    • Attendance
    • Starting School
  • Catholic Life
    • Prayer and Collective Worship
    • RE Curriculum
    • School of Sanctuary
    • Faith In the City
    • Charitable Outreach and Vocations
    • Chaplaincy Team
    • Saint Dunstan
    • Virtues
    • Ten:Ten Parent Newsletters
    • Our School Saints
    • Our Parish
    • Sacraments
    • Christmas 2021
  • OUR CURRICULUM
    • Our Early Years Curriculum
    • Curriculum subjects >
      • English >
        • Writing
        • Reading
        • Phonics
        • Grammar Guides
        • Spellings
        • Handwriting
      • Maths >
        • Times Tables
      • Science >
        • Awards
      • RSHE
      • Humanities
      • The Arts
      • PE
      • Computing >
        • iPads and Apps
      • MFL
      • Music
    • Curriculum Maps >
      • Early Years
      • Key Stage 1
      • Key Stage 2
    • Homework
  • Contact