TRA literacy vision:
At Roundhill Academy, our literacy program strives to foster an aspirational, language rich environment which enables:
- Access to the whole curriculum and ensures that every student can fully participate and thrive.
- Every student to have an enriched understanding of the world and themselves through engaging and diverse literature, interactive writing experiences, and collaborative learning environments.
- A nurturing environment where every student feels valued and empowered to express their ideas confidently.
Our goal is to inspire a lifelong passion for literacy, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to succeed both academically and beyond.
READING RULERS
LIBRARY LESSONS & ACCELERATED READER
Fortnightly library lessons for KS3 students that incorporate reading, library use, and Accelerated Reader quizzing provide numerous benefits for their literacy development, academic progress, and personal growth.
Here are the key advantages:
1. Encourages Reading for Pleasure
· Regular exposure to books: Dedicated library time helps foster a habit of reading and creates a culture of reading for enjoyment.
· Wide choice of books: Access to a range of genres, authors, and levels encourages students to explore texts that suit their interests and abilities, making reading more engaging.
· Positive reinforcement: Accelerated Reader quizzes provide immediate feedback and a sense of accomplishment, motivating students to continue reading.
2. Improves Literacy Skills
· Enhanced vocabulary and comprehension: Regular reading exposes students to new words and ideas, improving their ability to understand and analyse text.
· Fluency and critical thinking: Practicing reading and quizzing builds fluency and deeper thinking as students engage with the material.
· Writing and speaking skills: Exposure to a variety of texts improves students’ writing structure, creativity, and ability to articulate ideas verbally.
3. Supports Differentiated Learning
· Personalised reading levels: Accelerated Reader ensures students read books that are appropriately challenging, supporting their individual progress.
· Data-driven interventions: Teachers can use quiz results to identify struggling readers and provide targeted support or recommend suitable books.
· Progress tracking: The system allows students to see their improvement over time, fostering a sense of achievement and accountability.
4. Develops Library and Research Skills
· Familiarity with library resources: Regular visits help students learn how to navigate a library, locate resources, and develop independent learning skills.
· Research and information literacy: Accessing and evaluating information from books enhances critical research skills essential for academic success.
5. Builds Confidence and Self-Discipline
· A safe reading environment: The structured time gives students the space to read without distractions, helping them build focus and confidence.
· Goal-setting and achievement: Completing books and passing quizzes instills a sense of pride and accomplishment, boosting self-esteem.
· Promotes independence: Students take ownership of their reading choices and learning pace, fostering autonomy.
6. Positively Impacts Academic Achievement
· Improved cross-curricular success: Better literacy skills enhance performance across all subjects, from understanding word problems in math to interpreting historical texts in humanities.
· Builds lifelong learners: Students gain foundational skills for academic and personal success, including perseverance and a love for learning.
7. Creates a Lifelong Love of Reading
· Positive associations with reading: Consistent, enjoyable experiences with books can make reading a lifelong habit, benefiting students academically, socially, and emotionally.
· Encourages curiosity: Exposure to diverse topics and stories broadens their horizons and inspires curiosity about the world.
A fortnightly library lesson provides structured, enjoyable, and purposeful time for reading while equipping students with the literacy and critical thinking skills they need to succeed.
HOMEWORK INSTRUCTIONS
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD WITH READING AT HOME
Guinness Book of Records Attempt
In October 2024 Year 7 Students joined other students from across the world in a Guinness World Record Attempt! Students joined Author Laura Mucha virtually in creating a poem. With over 270,000 other students joining in it was certainly a big class! BBC Radio Leicester covered the event here in school, their report can be seen below. Our certificate of participation is also here and if your child took part you can order a certificate to prove that they are indeed an official Record Breaker!
Read our record breaking poem here!
Read more about it here
Certificate of Participation
Book Buzz
Your child has just received their Bookbuzz book!
And here’s why…
Our school is taking part in BookTrust’s Bookbuzz programme, which aims to get
children reading. Your child chose their own book to keep out of the sixteen Bookbuzz
titles, discovering what gets them turning the page at school and at home.
Bookbuzz is run by BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity that transforms
lives by getting children and families reading. Each year BookTrust reaches millions
of children across the UK with books, resources and support to help deliver a love
of reading. To find out more about BookTrust visit booktrust.org.uk.
We hope that Bookbuzz will encourage your child to read more frequently, which will
help improve their wellbeing, spark interesting conversations and inspire creativity.
Here are three steps you can take to get involved:
1. Get talking! The easiest way to get involved is to talk to your child about books and
reading. Their Bookbuzz book is a great place to start. What do they enjoy about their
book? Who is their favourite character? Talking about books together can help show
the value of reading and encourage your child to form and share their opinions on
what they like to read.
2. Find out more. You can find lots on the BookTrust website to share and enjoy
with your child, helping them to discover more about their Bookbuzz book. There
are videos and blogs from the Bookbuzz authors, quizzes, competitions and more
at booktrust.org.uk/bookbuzz.
3. What next? The adventure continues when your child finishes their Bookbuzz book!
No matter what their interests, there are thousands of fantastic books out there
to discover. To find their next read you can ask a librarian, visit a local book shop,
or go to BookTrust’s Bookfinder at booktrust.org.uk/bookfinder.
If you have any feedback or questions about Bookbuzz, BookTrust would love to hear
from you. You can contact them by emailing bookbuzz@booktrust.org.uk or phoning
020 7801 8800. You can also follow @BookTrust on social media to find out more about
the best new books and how you can continue to encourage your child to read at home
Celebration Day
