Guest Blog from Nicki Cleveland, HLTA & School Librarian at Cannon Park Primary School
I love the Reading Is Magic Festival – the range of books featured each year means there really is something to inspire everyone. And, it’s so well planned and organised, it’s easy to slot the virtual author events into the school day, whether in class, or in the school library.
After checking which events teachers would like to use in class, my first plan is to then create the cinema listing for viewing in the library for all of the other events, because who doesn’t love a trip to the cinema! Whether you can fit in one screening or five a week, it couldn’t be simpler to bring the magic of the festival into your school. It’s well worth paying to access previous year’s events, as children who weren’t quite old enough for books like Amari when the event first aired, may now be prime for BB Alston’s fantastical adventures.
Plan Your Events
All of the events are grouped by age range. This makes it quick and easy to target the right year groups, although you know your children and who will love each event.
For example, Wheels by Tom Schamp, has an age guideline of 4-7, but having seen the book, I know children in Key Stage 2 will also fall in love with the busy spreads, and as detailed on the event page – a draw-a-long is fun whatever age you are! Once an event airs, it is available until the end of the year, so there is plenty of time to schedule screenings of everything!
I know Cressida’s event is being used in the classroom this year, but as we have been lucky enough to ask a question, I’ll be screening it for other classes to come along.
Before Your Events
Tell everyone what is going on!
This year, I’ll be launching the Reading Is Magic Festival Cinema in our Celebration Assembly, with a selection of books to pique children’s interests. I’ve already told teachers who are ready to help me fill seats, and will be showing an event in class time too. Each event page has full details of what the video is about and whether there will be an activity to join in with so that you have everything at your fingertips to ensure your screening runs smoothly. If you have the books featured already, get them into the classes you’re targeting to build excitement, and look for any book trailers that teachers can show for you. And, do make sure you check out any links or activities highlighted that might extend enjoyment once the film screening is over. For example, Cressida Cowell’s event that kicks off the festival celebrating 20 years of How To Train Your Dragon, has the first chapter, classroom resources and an activity pack that you may want to share with children before or after the event.
During The Event
A cinema needs a screen – if you don’t have one in your library, or your library isn’t very big, you might need to move to a willing classroom, especially if there is a draw-a-long or activity that would be more comfortable at a desk.
For smaller screenings, beanbags on the floor, lights off and blinds closed can all create that big screen atmosphere in school. I know how tight time can be at lunchtimes in school, so I always operate a come in when you can policy, so that children who may have had lunch a little later or taken a little longer to eat don’t miss out completely.
After The Event
Have the books available for loan (if you don’t have them in school, see if you can borrow them from your local School Library Service) and suggest similar books, because having one copy won’t be enough to meet demand if everyone wants to borrow them straight away.
And, before they rush off back to class, get them to complete a quick form to see which of the five points from the charter the screening they have watched meets:
- be creative for at least 15 minutes a week
- have a planet to read on
- see themselves reflected in a book
- have some choice in what they read
- read for the joy of it
Let parents know what you have been watching and how they can watch at home – children may want to have another go at featured activities or take home any activities linked on the event page.
And finally, check back in on the children a little while after – are they reading the book or another suggested title? Are they enjoying it? Would they recommend it to a friend? Have they done any follow up activities at home?
Whether it’s a lunchtime bookclub, or after school bookclub, the Reading Is Magic Festival really does provide you with everything you need to run a screening, and linked activities based on amazing books, authors and illustrators. As an avid wordless book fan, I cannot wait to see ‘Wonderfully Wordless Picture Books with JonArno Lawson and Qin Leng.’
And that’s all there is to it, so what are you waiting for! Head over to the Reading Is Magic Festival site, sign up, and enjoy with your children!
Nicki Cleveland, HLTA & School Librarian at Cannon Park Primary School: Egmont Reading For Pleasure Teacher Awards School Reading Champion - Highly Commended and SLA School Librarian of the Year Honour List - Reading Is Magic Festival Ambassador