Resources
Resource 1: Creating an appealing reading corner in your classroom
It can be difficult to find reading materials to supplement the school textbooks, but you will want to provide as much as possible that your students will want to read. Here are four ideas from teachers who have been developing their book areas and libraries in school:
- cut out suitable reading texts from colour magazines and paste them into books or on charts
- ask for donations of books and magazines from parents, members of the community or visitors to the school, where appropriate
- get in touch with NGOs such as ‘Room to Read’ and ‘Pratham’, and ask for donations of books
- use your TLM allowance to buy books.
Now think of how you can create a stimulating reading environment. Here are some ideas for you to get started:
Collecting reading resources
Collect as many reading materials as possible so that your collection changes and increases gradually. Ensure that your collection appeals to a range of levels of reading ability. Include a variety of genres among the books available, such as:
- storybooks
- factual books on sport, nature, making things, etc.
- dictionaries and atlases
- poetry
- joke and riddle books
- books in your students’ home languages, if possible.
Collect newspapers, magazines and comics to add to the collection. Encourage your students to find suitable reading materials from their communities.
Bookmaking
Your students can produce a book containing their own poems or short stories. They could write a short play or develop a book about a topic that has been focused on in their lessons. They can design a cover for their book to make others want to read it.
Special displays
Having a themed display on, for example, water or transport, encourages curiosity and discussion and is a good way of encouraging students to find out information for themselves. Book displays can be complemented by posters, pictures and photos on the wall. To maintain your students’ interest, try to vary wall displays every so often and include materials that they have produced themselves.
If you know the reading materials you have available well, you can guide your students to those that will give them the information that they are looking for.
Creating a reading corner
Identify a space in your classroom or school to create a reading area or corner. Put up a large sign so that its purpose is clear. Make an attractive and comfortable space for your students to read in. Put a mat down or add chairs if you can.
Ask for volunteers to act as librarians to look after and keep a record of the collected reading materials. Whether on shelves or in boxes, make sure the reading materials are displayed every day so students can access them easily. Invite different students to put them out and tidy them up on a regular basis. Encourage your students to help mend any books that get damaged or worn. The more your students are involved, the more they will take ownership of this space and its reading function.