It was a very appropriate costume as it was instantly recognisable. I was Miss Trunchbull, the horrid Head Teacher from Matilda. It was the same each year and, as my costume was requested and voted democratically by the children, they found the process hilarious. Leading up to the day, the children could vote on my costume. I then delivered the assembly in character. The assembly set the timetable for the day and subtly introduced reading strategies that would be continued as a school. All the children together, from Nursery to Year Six. The day started with a whole school assembly. "If we treat books like they're magical, kids will grow up believing that too," Shanna Schwartz, lead senior staff developer at Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. The corridors buzzed with, “What IS the book inside?” Why can’t we read it?” The ‘mystery book’ strategy was designed to trigger the curiosity of the whole school, to engage all our children in meaningful discussions about books and coming to the same way of thinking: books are mysterious and exciting. The wrapped books displayed Alice in Wonderland style labels on them instructing the reader, “Do NOT read me.” This obviously created discussion amongst the children who were itching to disobey. Each book was hidden, wrapped in plain parcel paper. Mystery books were then strategically placed on display outside each class. (We did try and change tactics from dressing up in previous years, as we know it is not always the most popular option, but parental voice was strong and it was brought back in!) The school website was updated with World Book Day appearing on the welcome page and it included photographs from previous years. Posters advertising World Book Day were strategically displayed around the building, focusing on heavy traffic areas of parent activity. The children were asked to bring their books to school, encouraged to talk about their choice of book with their peers and to read them at any quiet time. Book Tokens were given out in advance of the event and, as children started to trade the tokens in for their choice of books, the ripple effect carried across to other children. Previous weeks were spent delivering teasers to the children, building up the excitement with constant prompts and reminders to both children and parents/carers including ideas for books and costumes. My experience of World Book Day The Build Up to World Book DayĪs Literacy Lead, I oversaw the running of the day. With that in mind, I wanted to share the science behind the madness of my own approach to World Book Day. If the approach is well-planned, meaningful, and sustainable, then schools can capitalise on the reading momentum the day kickstarts. World Book Day offers huge opportunities for schools. As World Book Day is a celebration of all books and authors, this blog will also look at additional ways in which the day can be used to showcase your children's published pieces sharing the same spotlight as other, more well known, published authors. This blog will explore opportunities of how we can use World Book Day as a gateway to building passion for reading, whilst integrating research-based strategies ensure its longevity and embedding an ongoing love of books and reading within your school. however most educators know that World Book Day is much more than a standalone event. Taking place on 2nd March 2023, World Book Day can be thought of, by those on the outside, as a one-off event of silly costumes and loosely linked bookish fun. We want to see more children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a life-long habit of reading for pleasure and the improved life chances this brings them.” (WBD - 2022) “Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income. Created by UNESCO on the 23rd of April 1995, the annual event marks a day for worldwide celebration of books and reading in over 100 countries around the globe. World Book Day is undoubtedly a worthwhile celebration.
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