Bookophilia
This year at La Petite Ecole Bilingue we decided to combine our Easter egg hunt with our very own Wold Book Day... because there is no 'one day' to celebrate literature and EVERYDAY at our school IS a book day.
Of course like many other schools we do DEAR time (drop everything and read)... pretty much any time when a pupil has finished a task we set the habit for him to grab a book and read. Teachers also do daily group reading as well.
Why reading?
Here are top reasons we found :
Gives knowledge.
Improves your brain.
Reduces stress.
Improves memory.
Improves imagination.
Develops critical thinking skills. ...
Builds vocabulary. ...
Improves writing skills.
AND SO ON.... the list is long.
https://seriousreading.com/blog/283-30-reasons-to-read-books.html
need more: https://www.neuronation.com/4%20Reasons%20Read%20More
Now, talking about reading, what is so special about our school in terms of reading?
First, children at La Petite Ecole Bilingue start learning to read at the age of 4 due to the British Curriculum, but they very quickly start reading in both English and French.
In English we use the Jelly and Bean jolly phonics scheme and in French we follow La Methode Bosher. This set excellent grounds for solid independent reading starting from year 2.
Jelly and Bean:
Our reading scheme follows the phonic progression of the UK government's Letters and Sounds, including the introduction of the first 100 high-frequency words, followed by the next 200 words also.
Illustrations and words are closely linked so that children have something they already know to help them latch onto letters and sounds. They stay well motivated as they enjoy the antics of the animals in the amusing stories.
Methode Bosher
Une nouvelle édition avec un vocabulaire réactualisé et une mise en page plus lisible et toujours tous les fondamentaux de la méthode Boscher, plébiscités par les parents impliqués : - Un univers tendre et nostalgique avec les illustrations de haut de page qui sont de vraies images d Epinal et servent de repère et de reconnaissance. - Une approche « en séquence », chaque page contenant l apprentissage de syllabes, de la lecture et du calcul : « un peu de chaque chose, chaque jour ». - Une méthode d apprentissage de la lecture syllabique et progressive qui a fait ses preuves, les mots d une page ne contenant que les syllabes apprises jusque- là. - Des histoires en fin d ouvrage que l enfant qui a fini sa méthode est capable de lire: encouragent le plaisir de savoir lire!
Of course from year 1, children do daily reading comprehension exercises to enrich their vocabulary and boost their confidence in creative writing and spelling.
This is also reinforced later from year 3 by their Latin sessions.
Moreover, our teachers encourage children to reading independently and develop their own tastes for various forms of literature: novels, poetry, magazines, comics... whatever little piece of written word would distill their passion for the word of letters.
Of various reading lists we like to recommend classics, as those will always be beneficial to your child.
Here is a list of recommended classics to read in preparation to 11+ exams:
https://www.11plusguide.com/11-plus-exam-preparation/reading-succeed/classic-book-list-children/
Here are lists for all ages:
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/100-best-books/
https://www.penguin.co.uk/puffin/articles/2017/june/9-must-read-classics-for-9-to-12-year-olds/
It is also highly important for parents to encourage children to read at home.
In order to do this first of all reduce screen time... second thing, read as well :) Have regular trips as a reward to the bookshop or use your local library.
Be attentive to what you child is reading. Take an old book from your own 'bibliotheque rose' from the shelves and make this reading moment magic.
