WIRED

The 2022 Reading Program at Saint Ignatius College

At Saint Ignatius College we highly value reading – particularly for enjoyment.

Reading skills are core to every subject your student engages in.

We have been running a formal reading program for years, and now this program is in the process of being updated and improved.

• Starting with the name – ‘WIRED’
  - Students are invited to enter a competition to rename the program. Hopefully the new name will represent more accurately, our goals and hopes for student engagement and success.

• Incorporating team- teaching and further support from the Learning Information Staff, new aspects will be embedded in this program.
• We warmly welcome Ms. Penny King in assisting many classes in her role as the ‘Literacy Tutor.’ Ms. King has been a great support for the English teachers and the ILC staff in running this program.
• Accountability for reading and making progress will include discussions around ‘real reading’ and ‘fake reading’.
• Students will have support to help decode texts and develop analysis skills including reading for meaning, in a supportive environment. This process began in the first few weeks of the term –

Students had the opportunity to read together in a small group with Ms King leading discussion, guiding and encouraging students to read aloud. This process helped to establish a sense of the students reading confidence and level. Many students really enjoyed sharing a classic Roald Dahl story together.

All students will have the opportunity throughout the year to read a novel together in a small group, led by Ms King, one of the library staff or their English teacher.

The novels for the ‘shared reading’ have been carefully chosen for each year level – multiple copies are now available and we hope that the shared reading experience will be enjoyed on a whole new level. This technique will support students who find it hard to ‘stick’ with a novel and finish it.

Factors that may influence students to read more at home include:

• students having the ability to request texts to be purchased for their enjoyment. (These suggestions are evaluated against the ILC and College policies.)
• no infringements will be imposed for overdue books
• borrowing will extend across holiday periods
• the number of books borrowed will no longer be limited

How you can assist in supporting the program?

• Model reading - if possible set aside time to enjoy reading
• Try to get a conversation going - ask what they’re currently reading
• Encourage the habit of reading each night, even if it is just for 10 – 15 mins

The English and ILC team really look forward to supporting your student.

This team is all about encouraging independent, sustained and most importantly an enjoyable reading experience.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions in relation to this program.

Mrs. Jane Alexander
Literacy Coordinator