3 Boys, girls and reading

When he is in the mood, Harry loves to sit beside Christine and look at books. He is starting to read quite fluently and enjoys spelling out unknown words, as he has been taught in school. Harry’s favourite book is Captain Underpants because it makes him laugh. This is a special time for both of them but Christine feels guilty about Alex because he is not getting the same attention.

Alex is a reluctant reader and appears to have little interest in books. He says about reading that ‘it’s boring’ and he never wants to unpack his school reader.

The boys’ teacher, Miss Fuller, has reassured Christine that Alex enjoys circle time, which often focuses on reading and literacy. Many primary schools use circle time where the focus is more on the children than the curriculum. The class sits with the teacher in a circle and ‘games’ are used to encourage cooperation, listening and speaking skills.

There are some general rules for circle time; for example:

• Everyone has the right to be heard and a duty to listen.
• There should be no ‘put-downs’. In the first stages it may be that the rule should be that all statements made should be positive.
• Everyone has the right to pass.
• Everything said should be confidential unless otherwise agreed.

It is a good way of developing peer relationships within the class. Very often a teaching assistant will also take part in this activity and they will model active listening skills for the children. Teaching assistants often position themselves next to or close by children who may need some additional support to benefit from circle time.

Figure 4 Circle time

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This is a cartoon of Alex and Harry’s class taking part in circle time. Nine children, including Alex and Harry are sitting in a circle with a man and a woman. The woman is holding her hands together and most of the children are looking at her. Several of the children have their hands up.

Figure 4 Circle time

Miss Fuller has started to use this time to encourage the children to talk about books they have read. The children also listen to each other reading in class, which is known as peer reading. These activities have made reading more of a social activity and Alex’s peers are beginning to have an influence on his interest in reading. Miss Fuller has also informed Christine that reading is not just about books and Alex can develop his reading skills just as well on the computer, which he seems to enjoy more.

Alex’s teacher is confident that he will make progress in his reading because of the social interaction with his classmates and friends during circle time.

Christine is concerned about the difference in development and academic progress between Harry and Alex. She does think that their happiness is the most important thing but the nagging concern over Alex’s progress or lack of it resurfaces in her thoughts quite often. She thinks that Alex’s current teacher Miss Fuller is ‘a bit special’.

Christine believes that it is through a deep understanding of Alex’s needs and interests that Miss Fuller has been able to work some kind of magic. Since being in her class, Alex’s attitude and approach to being at school are now much better. This can also be attributed to the additional support Alex receives in school to develop his reading skills and interests. The school involved Christine in discussions about Alex’s ongoing progress and raised concerns that he might have special educational needs.