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Reviving the reading culture

Karuna Swaminathan, the PYP Resource Person, Oakridge International School, India

This article illustrates a way of promoting a school’s library as a hub for learning.

The library is the hub of the PYP, a learning environment apart from the classroom and a place where learning is enhanced. Books allow for students to visualize their fantasies, dream of unimaginable places, and put on the hat of their favourite character. Thus, a library sets the stage for imagination, creativity, connection and thought.

Library supports learning

The library is an aide to student’s learning and a resource centre for research and query. Since inquiry drives the unit forward, students use the books, encyclopedias and multimedia available to them in the library to enhance their understanding of the topic. When the students visit the library, we talk about the ongoing unit and encourage the students to find books that they think are related to their topic. They learn to scan through the shelves, find a book, look at the cover page and contents and skim through the material to understand if the information given is relevant and substantial. Working on research skills supports students to identify what they want to find out about, plan the necessary course of action, collect relevant information and make meaning while effectively communicating what they have learned.

Both the classroom and the library together foster independent thinking and promote the ability to make choices, and both these learning environments are interrelated. They support each other and the students to make informed choices. Hence, students become independent users of information and take responsibility for their own flexible and transdisciplinary learning.

Students can develop and understand the importance and relevance of the IB learner profile and attitudes in the library. When asked how they can explain these, students from grade 4 and 5 sought examples from the various people that belong to the written world.

They saw Simba, from the The Lion King, as a perfect example of a risk-taker when he took it upon himself to save his clan; Rusty from the Ruskin Bond series showed integrity when he did not give up on his friends; there was Noddy – whose curiosity paved the path to his adventures. Students believed that they had a lot to learn from J.K. Rowling – whose creativity led to the birth of the infamous Harry Potter series.

How will children learn about these people and imbibe their qualities? Their writings, stories and adventures take students places and let them experience other worlds through their eyes. This is an important aspect of growing up as they learn to see the world through different lenses.

Promoting a reading culture in school

Creating a reading culture is paramount when we want to encourage our students to become engaged learners and motivated readers. Developing this culture requires time, commitment and investment of both the librarian and the home room teacher. We have chalked out a method where we can promote reading at various levels and motivate the children to pick up a book and wonder what the story is all about. Introduction of reading programs at different levels has allowed us to permeate and cultivate a love for reading. The students of grade 3, for example, are up for a 100 book challenge, whereas grade 2 has chalked out a RED (read everyday program).

Staying abreast of the times

Being aware of everything around them requires students to develop the habit of reading what is new and what is happening in the world. Newspapers are the perfect window to opening their minds and letting them ponder over events, dates and world crisis. Our students spend time reading the children’s edition of the newspaper, where the news is filtered and the language is appropriate for their age levels. Students have not only taken to reading the newspaper, but are also contemplating, discussing and debating on the various issues that they read about. The awareness of the world around them is crucial for their learning as it allows them time to reflect, introspect and echo their thoughts.

We as educators must set a fine example for our students. Reading remains one of the best ways to engage with the world, become a better person and understand perspectives.

Books referenced in the article:

  1. Tuchman, G. 2001. The Lion King: Simba’s Pouncing Lesson. Disney’s First Readers: Level 2. Scholastic Inc.
  2. Bond R. (2014). Rusty Comes home. New York, USA. Puffin Books
  3. Blyton E. (2001). Mr Sparks and the Mysterious Machine. Euro Kids International Pvt Ltd.
  4. Rowling, J.K. 1997. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. New York. Bloomsbury Publishing

Karuna Swaminathan is the PYP Resource Person at Oakridge International School, Newton Campus in India. With teaching experience on her side and two successful PYP exhibitions under her wing, she is currently working as a Resource Person. Her love for books and reading has helped her revive the art of reading among students and inculcate in them a love for learning.

4 Responses to Reviving the reading culture

  1. Fiorella Marquez 19 December 2017 at 2:05 pm #

    Me encanta este articulo. Soy una fanatica de los libros , en fisico. Sobre todo los cuentos que siempre leo y busco para desarrollar el Learner Profia a travez de los personajes.
    Gracias por compartir,
    Fiorella

  2. Madhavi Dutt 19 December 2017 at 4:58 pm #

    Fantastic article

  3. aadhishree 23 December 2018 at 3:44 am #

    Really Good article we will definitely use these techniques in our school https://tnreaschool.com/

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  1. Reviving the reading culture - Oakridge - 22 December 2017

    […] They saw Simba, from The Lion King, as a perfect example of a risk-taker when he took it upon himself to save his clan; Rusty from the Ruskin Bond series showed integrity when he did not give up on his friends; there was Noddy – whose curiosity paved the path to his adventures. Students believed that they had a lot to learn from J.K. Rowling – whose creativity led to the birth of the infamous Harry Potter series… Continue Reading […]

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