Literacy Coordinator: Miss H Lang
Literacy across the Curriculum
Literacy is essential to all learning throughout the school, in all years and across all subject areas. At Ysgol Clywedog, we know that good literacy skills help students to communicate effectively and that being confident in their literacy skills allows students to achieve their potential across the curriculum. We aim to ensure all learners at our school emerge as confident and articulate communicators because literacy is integral to our students’ success.
Reading for pleasure
A significant amount of research from around the world suggests that reading for pleasure can raise literacy standards and help support student progress. As a school, we take every opportunity to promote reading for pleasure; this includes reading during tutor time in Key Stage Three and library lessons in years 7 & 8.
We have provided a list of exciting books that can be used to engage reluctant readers. Students can access the library during break and lunchtime where a variety of texts are available, including many of the books listed below.
| Book Name | Author | Series – Y/N |
|---|---|---|
| The Recruit | Robert Muchamore | Y – The Cherub Series |
| Gold of the Gods | Bear Grylls | Y – Mission Survive |
| The Maze Runner | James Dashner | Y – The Maze Runner Series |
| The Hunger Games | Suzanne Collins | Y – The Hunger Games Trilogy |
| The Enemy | Charlie Higson | Y – The Enemy Series |
| Paper Towns | John Green | N – Lots of others by this author also available |
| Girl Online | Zoe Suggs | Y – The Girl Online Series |
| The Raven Boys | Maggie Stiefvater | Y – The Raven Cycle |
| Geek Girl | Holly Smale | Y – The Geek Girl Series |
| Alex Rider: Stormbreaker | Anthony Horowitz | Y – The Stormbreaker Series |
| If I Stay | Gayle Forman | Y – sequel: Where She Went |
| Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | J.K Rowling | Y – The Harry Potter Series |
| BZRK | Michael Grant | Y – The BZRK Series |
| 13 Minutes | Sarah Pinborough | N – Lots of others by this author also available |
| Moth Girls | Anne Cassidy | N – Lots of others by this author also available |
| The Northern Lights | Phillip Pullman | Y – His Dark Materials Trilogy |
| Sparrow | Michael Morporgo | N – Lots of others by this author also available |
| SilverFin | Charlie Higson | Y – The Young Bond Series |
| The Everest Files | Matt Dickinson | Y – The Everest Files Series |
Giglets
All students in Year 7 & 8 participate in the Giglets reading scheme and have a dedicated reading lesson once a fortnight. The Learning Cloud holds a library of adapted stories known as ‘SmartReads’. These stories are shared in an accessible form and deliver an enhanced experience with music and animation. Each text within this library of classic stories is matched to comprehensive learning resources. Together they deliver a new learning experience with reading at its heart.
Education-focused ereading technology enables alterations to the font size, font type and background colour to suit the reading needs of each individual pupil. The Learning Cloud contains a choice of reading themes that preselect font and background settings designed for accessibility.
Improving Literacy through Feedback
Years of educational research suggests that one of the best ways to improve students’ skills is through effective feedback. At Ysgol Clywedog all subjects offer students feedback on their literacy, as well as suggestions on how to improve their spelling, grammar, punctuation and essay writing skills where appropriate. Activities during lesson time regularly offer students opportunities to become better communicators.
If you have any further questions or would like any advice on supporting your child with literacy at home, please contact Miss Lang via the school office.
