During Term 2, the primary boys had the opportunity to come to the Co-curricular Book Club in the Year 3 classroom on Monday afternoons for an hour. The book I chose was a current best seller for children (lauded as the next Harry Potter!) called Nevermoor by an up and coming author, Jessica Townsend. Not only did the boys thoroughly enjoy being read to, but the benefits of reading to them were obvious.

Reading to children is a sound educational tool as it develops their reading skills, listening skills and enhances their comprehension skills. During the reading, the boys were questioned as to their understanding of the text and to predict what was going to happen in the story. The book is displayed on the classroom projector so the boys can practise their own reading skills by reading along with the text.

While some boys will read independently, all boys benefit through the enjoyment of being read to, and my expectation is that this will encourage those boys who may be less likely to read on their own.

Reading is the best method of increasing a boy’s vocabulary and his ability to understand written words. During Book Club the boys experienced the charismatic reading of a text which enhances their ability to read with expression and they can ask about the meaning of words.

Every week, Mrs Kylie Bain reads to the boys in the library and the feedback from the boys is extremely positive. We encourage all the boys to borrow from the extensive range of books in our library. If possible, to help keep up your son’s reading skills over the holidays, visit your local library where a wide range of books are available to read.

In Term 4, The Co-curricular Book Club will be available to Junior Primary boys after school from 3:00–4:00pm.

Mrs Leonie Russell – Year 3 Teacher