Literacy

“LITERACY IS A BRIDGE FROM MISERY TO HOPE. IT IS A TOOL FOR DAILY LIFE IN MODERN SOCIETY.” – KOFI ANNAN

DID YOU KNOW…?

Children who own a book are three times more likely to read above age expected level.
Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of student success – more than their family circumstances or the environment they are raised in.
There is a strong correlation between reading for pleasure and mental well-being.
Reading for pleasure is one of the most significant indicators of a child’s exam success aged 16.
Reading improves a child’s empathy skills.

ASTON MANOR ACADEMY’S LITERACY ETHOS

At Aston Manor Academy, we pride ourselves on our dedication and commitment to improving literacy in all year groups for all students.

Literacy is the cornerstone of education, empowering individuals to comprehend, communicate, and contribute effectively in a rapidly evolving world.

At our school, we recognize the profound importance of literacy as the key to unlocking knowledge, fostering critical thinking, and nurturing a lifelong love for learning. Through a dedicated focus on literacy skills, we aim to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond. We aim to cultivate a community where literacy not only opens doors but also ignites a passion for exploration and understanding.

The Literacy team consists of a group of leaders who strive to support students at AMA, improving literacy skills widely across all subject areas, and through a commitment to inspiring a love of reading.

ACCELERATED READER

Accelerated Reader is a computer-based program for Year 7 and 8 used to monitor reading practice and progress. It helps staff to guide students to books at their individual reading level, then provides quizzes to check comprehension.

Year 7 and 8 students have one timetabled lesson in the Library where they read and complete their quizzes. They should also be reading for a minimum of 20 minutes every day – this is their ongoing English Homework.

Students can quiz by clicking the button below

Accelerated Reader Quiz

PAIRED READING

The aims of paired reading, where Year 7 students read to Year 10 students, are:

Enhancing Literacy Skills
Building Confidence
Promoting Collaboration
Cultural Exchange
Role Modeling
Social Development
Encouraging a Love for Reading
Personalised Learning
Supporting Transition
Developing Listening Skills

FORM TIME READING

As part of their form Pastoral Programme, Year 7-10 read weekly in their form groups listening to their form tutor reading aloud. Listening to someone reading aloud has proven to:

Build vocabulary
Improve comprehension and active listening
Reduce stress
Improve working memory
Creates a classroom community

Our current books are:

Year 7 – Welcome to Nowhere

Year 8 – Raspberries on the Yangtze

Year 9 – When life gives you mangoes

Year 10 – Short stories and articles, including Maya Angelou and Nelson Mandela

LIBRARY

Our school library serves as the heartbeat of our school, offering a sanctuary for students to delve into the vast realms of knowledge. It is a hub that nurtures literacy, research skills, and a love for reading, providing extensive resources that complement classroom learning. Beyond books, it cultivates a sense of community and collaborative learning. It is a dynamic space that empowers students to become lifelong learners, promoting intellectual curiosity and academic excellence. We run a range of clubs at break time and lunch time that support the ethos of the library.

Golden Three for Literacy

The Golden Three for Literacy is our whole school initiative, teaching students to become independent when speaking, reading and writing. All staff across the school use this to ensure that students can access all tasks with confidence and success.

National Literacy Trust

We are a partner school of National Literacy Trust, closely committed to the rapid improvement of Literacy. The National Literacy Trust work with a range of local schools and young people, business and cultural organisations to spread awareness of the importance of storytelling and literacy at every stage of life. We have been lucky enough to work alongside NLT for a few years, attending trips, receiving books and participating in community projects to enrich our student’s experience here at Aston Manor.