jingle
Students are invited to enter the jingle competition. We hope to develop our children’s love for reading through the promotion of their various intelligences, in this case through music.
Design a Reading Mascot
Students are invited to design a character who will become the Reading Mascot for the Ministry. This character should be able to stimulate interest in readers of all ages and act as a gateway to make reading the new obsession in Jamaica.
The winning entries will be placed on book markers, buttons, key rings, stickers and posters and will be distributed throughout the schools and communities in the Region 4. Appropriate credit will be given to teachers and students who submitted winning pieces.
Other tangible prizes will also be given
The winning entries will be placed on book markers, buttons, key rings, stickers and posters and will be distributed throughout the schools and communities in the Region 4. Appropriate credit will be given to teachers and students who submitted winning pieces.
Other tangible prizes will also be given
A Reading Challenge
The reading challenge will encourage schools to create an area dedicated to literacy development. For example:
The school will select a theme and create a print rich reading area. This maybe in the form of a mural, a reading garden, or reading highway. (Any other creative idea is welcomed.)
There can also be a reading corner in place where students can actively engage in reading activities such as auditory stories, puzzles and quizzes.
Each effort can be highlighted through the media such as the newspaper, television and radio. Awards should also be given to individuals/schools for the work done.
The school will select a theme and create a print rich reading area. This maybe in the form of a mural, a reading garden, or reading highway. (Any other creative idea is welcomed.)
There can also be a reading corner in place where students can actively engage in reading activities such as auditory stories, puzzles and quizzes.
Each effort can be highlighted through the media such as the newspaper, television and radio. Awards should also be given to individuals/schools for the work done.
Slogan Writing Contest
Students of all ages are invited to write a slogan to promote reading throughout the Region 4.
There can be slogans designed to motivate boys to read.
There may be others to capture the interest of early readers or readers of all ages at the beginner’s level.
There can be slogans designed to motivate boys to read.
There may be others to capture the interest of early readers or readers of all ages at the beginner’s level.
Guess Who’s Coming to School?
This idea requires a reading mascot. Each month every school will invite a visitor from within the community to speak to students. The visitor will engage the students in activities that will help to promote reading in that school.
Some activities include:-
• Thinking and listening skills activities
• Storytelling
• Reading games
• Poetry
• Songs/Karaoke
Some activities include:-
• Thinking and listening skills activities
• Storytelling
• Reading games
• Poetry
• Songs/Karaoke
PTA SPELLING BEE
The purpose of this game is to encourage parents to get involved in the educational lives of their children and to let children know that education can be fun.
This game will consist of two teams of six (parents and teachers). The P.T.A’s from each school will compete against each other. In- island schools will compete among themselves, then there will be a inter-region competition among the winning teams
This game will consist of two teams of six (parents and teachers). The P.T.A’s from each school will compete against each other. In- island schools will compete among themselves, then there will be a inter-region competition among the winning teams
School’s Jeopardy
Each school will be required to pick a team of capable students to participate in this game. The team should consist of four students. The competition will take place in one afternoon depending on the amount of schools
A Night Under the Stars
A fun filled night with a variety of reading activities that are intended to motivate children to read. Some examples of the reading activities that students will be involved in are:
1. Quizzes
2. Story telling
3. Reading games
4. Mini-report (Journal)
5. Treasure Hunt
6. Baking
1. Quizzes
2. Story telling
3. Reading games
4. Mini-report (Journal)
5. Treasure Hunt
6. Baking
ping mi nuh
Grades 3-4 will engage in this activity. Mail boxes will be placed in each school. Students will be encouraged to write letters to pen pals from the different schools at least once for the week. These letters will be placed in the designated mail boxes.
Teachers will work along with other teachers from the different schools but same grades by sending copies of their registers to each other. This is so that teachers can decide and know who the pan pals are and their respective schools.
The person designated for the reading mascot will be responsible for picking up and dropping off the letters to students. He/she will deliver the letters to the students classes.
Teachers will work along with other teachers from the different schools but same grades by sending copies of their registers to each other. This is so that teachers can decide and know who the pan pals are and their respective schools.
The person designated for the reading mascot will be responsible for picking up and dropping off the letters to students. He/she will deliver the letters to the students classes.
so you think you can talk ?
Who can best relate the folk stories of the Jamaica?
This is a challenge for parents and children. The entrants will register stating what their piece is . Each piece should be three minutes long. Judges will decide who has the best talk. The piece can have a musical element such as a rhyme but it must still be within the allotted time. Props will also be allowed. The piece should be screened for suitability. To foster, this auditions will be held.
This is a challenge for parents and children. The entrants will register stating what their piece is . Each piece should be three minutes long. Judges will decide who has the best talk. The piece can have a musical element such as a rhyme but it must still be within the allotted time. Props will also be allowed. The piece should be screened for suitability. To foster, this auditions will be held.
mini fun day
This is a day of activities reinforcing the reading skills taught in school. Such activities would include:
Syllable match-matching all the broken syllable to form words then put them in a sentence.
Compound words- who can make the most compound words.
Alphabetical order- arrange the items in alphabetical order, place them in a basket, then run to the finish line.
One Minute to think word for word- this is a two team game. Give a beat or a topic. The students must think of a rhyme within one minute. The faster and sensible rhymes will get points for each round. The team with the most points wins
To involve the toddlers/Infants in this day, activities such as finger paints, nursery rhymes, color match, where students collect items of the same color put them in a bucket and run to the fish line will be presented. Stories will also be read to students with the aid of hand puppets.
Syllable match-matching all the broken syllable to form words then put them in a sentence.
Compound words- who can make the most compound words.
Alphabetical order- arrange the items in alphabetical order, place them in a basket, then run to the finish line.
One Minute to think word for word- this is a two team game. Give a beat or a topic. The students must think of a rhyme within one minute. The faster and sensible rhymes will get points for each round. The team with the most points wins
To involve the toddlers/Infants in this day, activities such as finger paints, nursery rhymes, color match, where students collect items of the same color put them in a bucket and run to the fish line will be presented. Stories will also be read to students with the aid of hand puppets.
book fair
Bookstores and publishing companies will partner with the Department of Education to provide books at affordable prices for the public to purchase. Fair to be held on all islands, perhaps, at the same time as A Night Under the Stars
Pajama day
This activity is exclusively for the infant level. Infants are allowed to come to school on a day designated as “Pajama Day” in their pajamas (Children should be properly covered, example no see-through pajamas. The children will be in public after all.)
The Children are allowed to bring along cuddle toys, cuddle pillows, teddies etc.
A parent may accompany their child that day and sit with their child.
The teacher is expected to plan reading activities that both children and parents can participate in.
Use ‘Big Books’ to read stories, the students and parents can follow as the story progresses. The teacher may select a parent to read.
The teacher may decide on an informal setting. Example the children may sit on a rug with their cuddle toys.
Create at least one ‘project’ that parent and child can work on together. (In the case when a child does not have a parent along, they may be grouped with another child and his parent or with the teacher.)
Children and parent may construct their own ‘Big Book’ using pictures from old magazines or personal pictures from home. Children will be allowed to express their own thought on the pictures while the grownup /parent will act as scribe and record what the child says.
The Children are allowed to bring along cuddle toys, cuddle pillows, teddies etc.
A parent may accompany their child that day and sit with their child.
The teacher is expected to plan reading activities that both children and parents can participate in.
Use ‘Big Books’ to read stories, the students and parents can follow as the story progresses. The teacher may select a parent to read.
The teacher may decide on an informal setting. Example the children may sit on a rug with their cuddle toys.
Create at least one ‘project’ that parent and child can work on together. (In the case when a child does not have a parent along, they may be grouped with another child and his parent or with the teacher.)
Children and parent may construct their own ‘Big Book’ using pictures from old magazines or personal pictures from home. Children will be allowed to express their own thought on the pictures while the grownup /parent will act as scribe and record what the child says.
target boys
Cater to the needs of boys by providing a male mentor and activities of adventure.
Male mentors (not only Fathers) are invited to come into the schools to read to their child’s class.
The teacher may supply Comic books, Adventure story books, Mystery books that appeal to a boy’s sense of risk and exploration. Children who may have membership at a local library could borrow a book of their choice to bring along. Boys may also bring a book from their own collection at home.
Male mentors may engage in reading activities that will create a passion for reading in boys:
Principals must be a part of the process and ensure that parents visiting the school have letters from the school that they may be able to seek permission to get time of from work to get involved in activities at school.
Male mentors (not only Fathers) are invited to come into the schools to read to their child’s class.
The teacher may supply Comic books, Adventure story books, Mystery books that appeal to a boy’s sense of risk and exploration. Children who may have membership at a local library could borrow a book of their choice to bring along. Boys may also bring a book from their own collection at home.
Male mentors may engage in reading activities that will create a passion for reading in boys:
- Mentors may read from a book chosen by a boy.
- Mentors may decide to tell/narrate his story rather than read it. (In the case of a narration the mentor must state book and author of his story.)
- The teacher may plan an outdoor activity just for boys. Example: visiting the store, reading labels while purchasing things of interest to boys. A bus ride in the community with a list of places/location the boys have to read directions on a map, street and store signs to find.
Principals must be a part of the process and ensure that parents visiting the school have letters from the school that they may be able to seek permission to get time of from work to get involved in activities at school.
book drive
Parents and children may donate a new book to their child’s class library. Children may have books at home in good condition, books that they may have out grown having moved on to a higher level of reading. The children may want to bring those books from home to school. The books will then be sorted and sent to the appropriate age group.
reading club
This activity can be done within a particular class or used for house reading competition.
Children who sign up for the competition must present a book report on each book that was read.
Children who sign up for the competition must present a book report on each book that was read.
televised learning
Reading is a vital part of life fundamental to survival and success.
Hence to capture children in their element of learning is an excellent way to promote a passion and love for reading.
Reading activities may be integrated through out subject based work. Hence one does not necessarily have to record a reading class only.
Example: A math class, solving word problems may be televised.
Hence to capture children in their element of learning is an excellent way to promote a passion and love for reading.
Reading activities may be integrated through out subject based work. Hence one does not necessarily have to record a reading class only.
Example: A math class, solving word problems may be televised.
story time
a. Drama
b. Creative Writing
c. Art
d. Library Skills are all outgrowths of vigorous reading activities.
Story Time should be a daily activity at school. Students and teachers may alternate reading. Each child should be given an opportunity to select a book that he/she can read then read aloud to the class.
It is imperative that teachers read aloud to their pupils. Children will be afforded the experience of voice cues that accompany punctuation marks.
Children may dramatize the story after listening. This may demonstrate their level of understanding of the story. Pupils will develop better listening skills if they are expected to do follow up activities to reading aloud.
Visual Art may be a gateway into self expression. Allow pupils to draw pictures as a follow up activity to the story.
Example: There is a dark, evil villain in the story; the children may draw what they think he would look like.
The teacher may use story time to develop library skills.
Encourage pupil to visit the local library regularly so they may be able to select the books they prefer to read.
b. Creative Writing
c. Art
d. Library Skills are all outgrowths of vigorous reading activities.
Story Time should be a daily activity at school. Students and teachers may alternate reading. Each child should be given an opportunity to select a book that he/she can read then read aloud to the class.
It is imperative that teachers read aloud to their pupils. Children will be afforded the experience of voice cues that accompany punctuation marks.
Children may dramatize the story after listening. This may demonstrate their level of understanding of the story. Pupils will develop better listening skills if they are expected to do follow up activities to reading aloud.
- Retelling the story in his/her word.
- Pupils may analyze the story stating character they liked or characters they dislike in the story.
- Pupils may be asked to rewrite the ending of the story etc.
Visual Art may be a gateway into self expression. Allow pupils to draw pictures as a follow up activity to the story.
Example: There is a dark, evil villain in the story; the children may draw what they think he would look like.
The teacher may use story time to develop library skills.
Encourage pupil to visit the local library regularly so they may be able to select the books they prefer to read.
read community notices on the road
Pupils form the upper level in the primary school should be chosen by their teacher for their ability to read well.
Arrangements must be made with local media to read community announcements or news highlights.
High school pupils who may be nursing a dream of entering the field of communications and journalism may also get involved.
Arrangements must be made with local media to read community announcements or news highlights.
High school pupils who may be nursing a dream of entering the field of communications and journalism may also get involved.
journal entries
Pupils should be encouraged to keep a journal as a means to record their daily observations. These impressions and opinions of events from their eye view will provide material for their poems, song or stories. Journalism is also a way to monitor and motivate ones self, to measure and document ones personal journey in life for a period of time.
school newspaper
Teachers can use a school newspaper as an avenue to publish the stories, poems, essays or songs written by the students.
These papers can be sold to parents to raise funds for the school to furnish the school library. Etc.
These papers can be sold to parents to raise funds for the school to furnish the school library. Etc.
book club for adults
This can be a wholesome activity for adults to sign up,
to select and read books, to analyze and discuss later.
Parent, teachers and members of the community may start a reading club which provides reading sessions for persons unable to read English. Volunteers must be able to create a non-threatening atmosphere whereby the readers can trust their facilitator.
to select and read books, to analyze and discuss later.
Parent, teachers and members of the community may start a reading club which provides reading sessions for persons unable to read English. Volunteers must be able to create a non-threatening atmosphere whereby the readers can trust their facilitator.
author's night
Students will present stories and poems they have written. They can also dramatize their piece and dress to portray a particular character.
over night camp
A fun filled night with a variety of reading activities that are intended to motivate children to read. Some examples of the reading activities that students will be involved in are:
- Quizzes
- Story telling
- Reading games
- Mini-report (Journal)
- Treasure Hunt (can be done in Spanish as well)
- Baking
lunch hour story time
Invite someone from the community to read a story. This can take place across the classes, in the reading garden, in the reading room or computer room.
reading games
Dedicate one Friday per term when students can take games from their homes to play. They can also make their own games on that day
parents' workshop
On this day parents will be involved in numerous reading activities. It is expected that they will gather a wealth of experiences that will assist them in helping their children to read.
book race
Parents will be given approximately 15 books to read within a specified time. They are expected to report on two books.
student reading outreach
Students will read to the elderly in the school’s community.
reading drive
Students will be chauffeured around the community where they will read signs then record the number of words they have learned on that day.
read-a-thon
Parents will be invited in the schools to listen as their children read to them.
murals
Display sight words to be placed around the school.
notice board
The notice board may be used to display:
- most improved student for the week/ month
- best speller
- reader of the week
- Best writer
- word for the day in English and/or Spanish with meaning, syllabication and how it is used in sentences
media
Reading programmes can be aired throughout the year teaching different aspects of reading, have a child anchor for the news broadcast.