Reading Corner

Update by Ms Edwards, Curriculum Leader for English.

What is my Year 7 or 8 child doing in English when they aren't writing? How are RTS preparing Year 7 and 8 for longer writing and the challenges of English that lie ahead? How are the English department trying to improve reading in a meaningful way?

These are questions I've been asked a few times in the lead up to AP3. The answer is, lots of things. As I've mentioned in previous newsletters, we are encouraging pupils to use the Reciprocal Reader skills of predicting, clarifying, questioning and summarising when we read all our texts in English and form time reading. But once a fortnight we use a double period to take a break from the curriculum and take part in the Let's Think in English cognitive acceleration programme. This builds up reading, oracy and writing skills through carefully structured exploratory talk. The lead tutor of the programme Michael Walsh explains it clearly for you in the 5 minute video below.

If you see that in one week your child has not written much in their books, it is very likely that that week was a Let's Think week. It is a real priority for us, especially after the isolation of lockdown learning last summer, to build up the students' ability to collaborate and share.

Let's Think chimes well with the RTS principles of ensuring every child belongs and has a voice. It builds confidence and enjoyment as well as academic excellence.

If you have any further questions, please email the School Office, with English in the subject heading.

English & Social Media

Using social media in an educational capacity can be an exciting opportunity to engage with authors themselves. The English department have had a positive response from Neil Gaiman, author of both adult and children's fantasy books, as well as a graphic novelist, in response to a tweet about Year 7 students reading a story from his book 'Norse Mythology'.

Not only that, but he liked a series of tweets that had an example of a Year 7's art work and writing on it. This is so encouraging and motivational for students.