Barnet Power of Reading Group

We started Into The Forest and my class have started doing lots of work on it in their own time at home! Simone, Summerside School.

I made a snow cave in the reading area to go with the winter theme. My reading area was previously quite bleak, now it's really exciting. The children love it!
Hannah at Cromer Road School.

We have completely revamped our reading areas at very little cost. It is now being visited almost continously!
Joyce and Marian at Bell Lane School.

Central Group B Teachers

"I've just started doing Skellig with my yr5/6 class and they are hooked!"Jane Begum, St Paul's, Southwark.

"We've just finished Ice Palace, I've noticed that they are so immersed in the text that it feeds into all their writing and they've produced really good quality work." Sharon Leach, Michael Faraday, Southwark.

"I have a boy in Year 6 who didn't use to like reading - since we started doing the London Eye Mystery he has since said "I didn't use to like reading, but something inside me sparked." Rhoda McDairmant, St Francesca Cabrini, Southwark.

Message from Warwickshire Power of Reading teachers

'We trialled Naughty Bus with reception, it was fabulous, the children loved it. We made a movie, they made up a song. The bus company came in, some of the children had never been on a bus before and that was exciting.'
Natalie Johnson,Emscote Infants

'We've changed the reading environment, slimmed it down and separated it into sections. We've got finger puppets and bean bags and cuddley toys to make it inviting.'
Katie Brown, St Patricks Primary

'The children got very involved in Beegu and very empathetic with his feelings. They've extended the story - what happened when Beegu got home, and made their own version of the book. And done some drama and drawing. They've thoroughly enjoyed it and they are now planning our role play area.'
Lisa Booth, Weddington Primary

Message from Wandsworth Power of Reading

We did Fly Eagle Fly. My kids really loved all the discussion about it -the eagle chick, looking towards the sun...
Helen, Smallwood Primary

We're looking at the Wolf's Footprint. The children love it, we're researching wolves, the children are looking at all different kinds of wolves.
Abi, Westbridge

We read Way Home - we did lots of PSHE, talking about runaways. My kids love it, talking about pictures, doing maps.
Kara, Smallwood Primary

We did Where the Wild Things Are - we went on a journey in role - they've done some fantastic writing.
Lottie, Allfarthing

We're reading Floodland - we're using it in Year 6 and the children have produced some lovely writing and a big display.
Diane, Franciscan Primary

Message from Central C

'The kids are really enjoying the books.' Tilly Billington Buckingham Primary.
'The teachers are enthusiastic, there's a buzz around the school.' Caron Harrison, Odessa Infants.
'The children can't wait for the next session.' Stephanie Thomas, Brampton Primary.
'I've really seen an impact on their writing straight away.' Rachel Lewis, St Stephens Primary.

Redbridge Teachers

In Redbridge:

• we are seeing the impact on children's writing immediately with the first sequence we've tried
• through reading aloud we have inspired children to read with more enthusiasm - the children don't want us to put the book down
• the boys are really motivated and want to keep reading the book

Message from Merton Power of Reading

I've got a system for children to recommend books and they enjoy recommending their favourite books.
Lyndsey, Benedict Primary



The children enjoyed being part of creating a brand new reading area. They decided on a theme of space and this led into our half termly topic.
Stephanie

We did some fantastic work around Into the Forest - children wrote some wonderful notes to their missing dad.

Central A Group message

"We've been working on Way Home in Year 6. The children have really enjoyed the drama and artwork which have led to some fantastic writing and a school assembly." Catherine Smith, Deansfield Primary.

"We found it interesting completing the 'can do grid', and then to hear their responses and them 'being allowed' to say that they did not like reading in general. From that we are now compiling a list of books that they want in school." Maggie, Celestine and Mandy.

"Children in year 2 are really excited about Traction Man and we've decided to use action heroes as our theme for the reading area." Joanne Newton, St Alfege Primary.

Power of Reading in North Somerset

"I started with Traction Man and had a wonderful adventure story from a boy who had always said that he hated literacy". Esther, Uphill Primary School

"We had an action man day following the Traction Man sequence. All of the children brought in their own action figures and were inspired to write some fantastic stories". Pippa, Birdwell Primary School

"I've developed my reading corner with drapes, cushions and puppets. The children love being in there!" Laura, St. Peter's Primary School

Welcome to the Power of Reading blog 2010!

We hope you'll use the blog to comment on the books you've read, to share experiences of the POR project, and to make suggestions for activities and books for the classroom.

The CLPE team