All classes regularly visit the library with their teachers, and in KS2 pupils follow the prestigious Renaissance Reading Scheme. Pupils are also able to choose books, complete research projects and access help for homework during breaks and lunchtimes.
Library monitors assist and help the librarian, who is on hand during library lessons, to help pupils select a suitable book.
Older pupils from Years 6, 7 and 8, support and encourage younger pupils, by hearing them read on Thursday mornings in tutor time.
At present, we have four networked computers in the library, which are available for pupils and staff to use for schoolwork.
Please see Reading at Ralph Sadleir Booklet 2013-14 Information for Parents, and Top Tips for Encouraging Reading, for further information about our approach to reading at Ralph Sadleir.
The Reading Cloud is an online version of our school library catalogue. This system allows pupils to view our school library catalogue online. Pupils are encouraged to use this to find resources, to write reviews about books they have read and search for new books and other library resources. The system contains the school library catalogue, curriculum based web links and some e-books. It also links into our Accelerated Reader system and enables pupils to find books at their book level. Pupils can access the system directly by clicking here.
Pupils in Year 5 and Year 6 can shadow the Blue Peter Book Awards, which is run by Mrs Brown with support from Mrs Woollard. Pupils read and discuss the shortlisted books for ‘Best Story’ and ‘Best Story with Facts’ and then vote for their favourite. More information on these awards can be found at: http://www.booktrust.org.uk/prizes/2
Keen readers can also take part in the Rib Valley Book Award, which is run as a transition project for our Year 8 pupils by Freman College.
In recent years, Ralph Sadleir pupils have attended Freman College to hear talks by Marcus Sedgwick, Lucy Christopher, Moira Young, Dave Cousins, Paula Rawsthorne and Matt Dickinson. Pupils read a shortlist of four novels, write reviews and meet up with Freman and Edwinstree students to discuss the books and finally vote for the one they enjoy the most.
RVBA 2016
Four books have been announced for the Rib Valley Book Awards 2016.
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
This book is about Mickey and his family and friends. These characters aren’t the heroes who save the world, but teenagers realising how tough it is just to live life happily. They are the rest of us who just live here.
Thirteen Chairs by Dave Shelton
A boy enters a room in which twelve people are sitted, a chair is then pulled out for him. One by one the twelve tell a ghost story and the boy begins to realise what tale he must tell.
Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine
Iris’ mother told her that her father abandoned them when she was a little girl. This is a lie and in fact Iris’ father, Ernest, has spent his life trying to find his little girl. Iris and Ernest are reunited, but only because Ernest is dying. There is things Ernest wants Iris to know after he has gone and the truth has more than one way of coming to light.
Concentr8 by William Sutcliffe
Against a backdrop of rioting in the capital, a group of socially disaffected friends, led by angry, charismatic Blaze, pull a knife on a man as he leaves work at the Mayor’s office. While the friends wonder why they’ve taken someone hostage, an ambitious journalist investigates whether the withdrawal of Concentr8 might have triggered the rioting. A political scandal unfolds when it emerges that not everyone was medically assessed before being put on the pacifying drug, suggesting that something far more sinister is going on.
If you are in Year 8 and would like to take part please speak to Mrs McIver or Mrs Woollard.
For a list of recommended fictional reading material click on the relevant link below:
The following websites, which all focus on reviewing teenage literature, often give you the opportunity to submit your reviews once you’ve read a book:
http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk
http://www.infosoup.org
http://www.teenreads.com
http://www.readingmatters.co.uk
http://www.teenspoint.org/reading_matters/teen_reviews.asp?media=book
The Newspaper ‘First News’, which is a weekly newspaper in the library, have produced two lists which we hope might give your child ideas for summer reading.
Top 100 Teen Novels
http://www.npr.org/2012/08/07/157795366/your-favorites-100-best-ever-teen-novels
Top 100 Reads for 9-14 year olds
http://www.npr.org/2013/08/05/207315023/the-ultimate-backseat-bookshelf-100-must-reads-for-kids-9-14
