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:
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.”
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...
