Creating a Culture of Reading
There is a renewed focus on creating a culture of reading at all our schools through our Library Learning Commons (LLC). The goal is to improve student literacy by fostering a love for reading and integrating literacy strategies across all subjects. Here are some key initiatives we are exploring and implementing at various sites to cultivate a school-wide culture of reading:
Curate Diverse and Engaging Reading Materials
We are expanding our library's collections by consulting with students to include a wider variety of genres, such as manga, sports-themed non-fiction, high-interest, low-vocabulary books, and culturally responsive texts. We aim to increase recreational reading by providing materials matching students' interests. This approach will also enhance reading confidence and stamina, particularly for reluctant readers who are attracted to more accessible and engaging texts.
Lead School-Wide Reading Initiatives
We are fostering opportunities and school-wide reading initiatives, such as DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), book clubs, genre-tasting events, and reading challenges. Both students and staff will be involved in reading promotions, such as student-led book reviews and recommendations. These initiatives will increase engagement in reading, with students developing more regular reading habits and fostering critical literacy.
Collaborate with Classroom Teachers on Literacy Activities
Our LLC staff will partner with classroom teachers to integrate literacy strategies into subjects across the curriculum. We will co-plan and co-teach lessons that incorporate reading strategies, including digital and media literacy, using resources like the WRAP strategy, KWL, and reflective activities. This collaboration will improve students' ability to critically engage with texts and increase achievement in assessments.
Promote Professional Development and Collaboration
We encourage regular meetings among LLC staff, departments, and teachers to collaboratively discuss and achieve our literacy goals. By identifying resource needs and gaps, sharing strategies, and implementing effective learning practices, we aim to increase the use of integrated literacy strategies throughout the school. This approach will foster a shared understanding among staff that literacy is an interdisciplinary responsibility, leading to more consistent support for literacy across all subject areas.
Use Data to Drive Literacy Improvement
We will regularly analyze reading data, such as student learning surveys, reading attitude surveys, circulation statistics, and literacy assessments, to identify trends and inform decisions on collection development and literacy goals.
Preferred Future for Students and Staff
Our vision is for students to demonstrate increased reading confidence, stamina, and the ability to engage with various texts critically. We anticipate a noticeable increase in recreational reading, leading to improved performance in assessments. For staff, we aim to foster increased collaboration between LLC and classroom teachers, particularly around literacy strategies.
Additionally, LLC teachers were provided with an opportunity to submit proposals for funding to implement initiatives that would support this inquiry, and we look forward to measuring the impact.
The Abbotsford School District's Strategic Plan emphasizes engaging, challenging, and preparing students for a lifetime of success. Literacy is foundational to success in all areas of learning. Jarred Amato, author of Just Read It, reinforces this by stating, "Independent reading is more than just 'drop everything and read' – it is a gateway to writing, critical thinking, discussion, and deeper learning."
I am excited to see how this inquiry unfolds as different schools implement various initiatives tailored to their unique needs and goals.
Tracy Krys
Director of Instruction - Curriculum