Volunteering Fair at the Sinai Synagogue in Leeds

A message from Christine Elliott about the Volunteering Fair at the Sinai Synagogue that took place last week:

Thank you to all those who made the volunteering Fair at the Sinai Synagogue in Leeds such a great event last Sunday. The hosts were extremely welcoming and I am pleased that so many people came to our Reading Matters stand to find out what we did and what volunteering opportunities were available.There were a whole host of other organisations there so it was also beneficial to chat with other voluntary organisations. Our volunteers, Pat Reader, Joan Hick, Jenny Homes and Alison House did a brilliant job manning the stand and sharing their knowledge and I understand they all enjoyed the day so many thanks to them for giving up their time. The event was so successful I understand that the organisers are considering holding another one again next year.

 Christine Elliott, Reading Matters Volunteer Co-ordinator and Alison House Volunteer Reading Mentor at The David Young Academy

Reading Matters Continuing Professional Development Opportunities

Reading Matters has a new office in Sheffield. Scotia Works is a superb training venue and I hope we'll tempt some people to pay us a visit and to help boost literacy with these Continuing Professional Development opportunities. Alternative dates are available in Leeds and Bradford next year.

MANAGING READING MENTORS WORKSHOP    23 January 2012A half-day workshop to develop best practice recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteer reading mentors from the local community.“Exactly what I needed to give me confidence with the reading volunteers I have starting next week!” Cathy Hogg, Shortbrook Primary School, Sheffield

SUPPORTING READING DEVELOPMENT TRAINING         16 March 2012An interactive, accredited training day for professionals who support young people’s literacy. We’ll provide strategies to help tackle low levels of literacy and self-esteem, supporting reading development one-to-one or in groups.
“A fantastic day” Laura Benn, Wath Comprehensive School, Rotherham

Please download a poster with a little more info and/or a booking form to reserve a place.

Video Games

When trying to engage a struggling or reluctant reader, computer games can often be a less intimidating approach than a hefty tome or badly photo-copied activity sheet. I've spotted a few interactive online resources that might be of interest:

• Root, an interactive spy story - This project started this week, new chapters of Root will be published every day for six weeks. Any one can get involved and influence the story by solving mysteries, foiling plans and eavesdropping into conversations!
• The Binary - A brilliantly presented online adventure, like an interactive book.
• Book Worm Adventures - A role-playing word game involving building words and battling monsters.
• Build your own Book Mobile - This one is a bit more 'old school', download, cut out and stick together your own beautiful mobile library.
• Word Fighter - This isn't out yet, but looks too cool for words (bad pun). 

I guess the inspiration for this post was the song I am kind of in love with at the moment, Video Games by Lana Del Rey. Song lyrics are another great idea to read with a partner, try googling their favourite song.

Have fun.

New Reading Matters Office in Sheffield

Reading Matters office in Sheffield has moved. We are now at:

Reading Matters
Scotia Works
Leadmill Road
Sheffield
S1 4SE
Tel: 0114 241 2743

Please update your address books.

This new location at Scotia Works is a wonderful location next to Sheffield Railway station, with some great training spaces that would be perfect for Reading Matters training. Reading Matters specialises in one-to-one support to motivate young people to reach their potential by becoming confident and enthusiastic readers. We provide support via:

• adults as volunteer reading mentors
• young people as reading leaders
• parents and carers to help their own families
• professional staff with a responsibility for literacy

Get in touch if this sounds of interest, it would be great to hear from you.

My Name is O by Sam Enthoven, and Pale by Chris Wooding

;

I have received proof copies of two dystopian stories out in January 2012,  My Name is O by Sam Enthoven, and  Pale by Chris Wooding.


My Name is O, is set entirely in the Bank of England as O tells the reader of his daring break-in and the reason for it. We learn directly from O that he/she "was born in a special breeding programme run by our secret masters", the implication is that the reader is as much a part of this controlled society as O. But O has been singled out for particular conditioning, but without his masters knowledge he has "built a personality". O starts out pretty cocky, but gets more and more out of his depth, he doesn't understand his situation as much as he thinks. It's a gripping tale, set over a short time period in a single location, but very much part of a wider, scary world.


In contrast Pale, covers a long time period. In fact Jed grows, dies and comes back to live another life within the 69 pages. It is set in another scary world, in a future where some people can be resurrected as Pales. The Pales are completely shunned by regular society; jealousy, fear and ignorance all play a part. Sometimes feelings are understandable, it's hard to argue with a statement like "dead kids shouldn't be allowed to go to school". But it's clear people need to learn to deal with these new members of society. Jed, our narrator sees both sides. I hope I am not spoiling it by telling you he dies on page 16! It is tale of violence, betrayal and hatred with a gripping conclusion of rescue and revelation.


In both books, and like in all good Science Fiction, they tell us as much about our own lives as those of the characters in the fantasy settings. Pale in particular seems to be all about current news-worthy themes of immigration, religious differences and human rights. I think they would provide lots of discussion in reading partnerships.

Sheffield Summer Reading Challenge Volunteer 2011

A few weeks ago we had a celebration event for the Sheffield Volunteers who supported the Summer Reading Challenge in 2011 and their parents. It was a great event. With each of the volunteers presented with a certificate and goodie bag by Dr Sylvia Dunkley, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield.

I have just got this great photo and a wonderful quote from one of the volunteers:

I want to say thanks to you [all] for the ceremony. It was a great and unforgettable experience.

I agree, it was a lovely evening. Everyone was great!

Free Copy of First News

First News is a brilliant weekly newspaper for young people, it's perfect for our reading partnerships. Full of topical articles presented really nicely with lots of images, graphics and accessible text.


Courtesy of Sainsbury's magazine you can get a free copy.


Call 0800 665480 and quote SBFREE or text NEWS to 78070 before 31 October 2011.


Another good deal is 3 issues for £1.

Reading Videos

A few videos I have spotted recently:

• Inspiring Reluctant Readers - From the New York Times, authors James Patterson and Rick Riordan talk about the challenge of encouraging children, particularly boys, to love reading
• Booked Up Film - New video featuring the Booked Up authors and 11-year-olds talking about the current selection of books
• Going West - A wonderfully crafted video for the New Zealand Book Council, Where Books Come to Life!
• Dyslexie is a typeface for dyslectics - Silent video with common issues encountered by people with dyslexia, and how a new font seeks to assist

I'll leave you with a beautifully designed video of the ubiquitous Stephen Fry talking of his love of language.
 :

Thanks for Teaching Us

Just spotted this rather wonderful website campaign, Thanks for Teaching Us:

ThanksForTeaching.Us, a 30 day campaign to recognize amazing teachers all over the world. Our schools are in a tough spot right now, and we think there’s no better time to bring the spotlight back on the teachers that make our classrooms thrive.

Dear Great Teachers, ThanksForTeaching.Us from TBD on Vimeo.


The site is pretty inspiring, with beautiful posts from all over the world. Why not check it out and submit you own story, it would be great to get some UK schools represented.

Ninja: First Mission by Chris Bradford

Chris Bradford is quite an amazing guy, before becoming the hugely successful author of the Young Samurai series he was a professional musician, he is a black belt martial artist, he is funny (check out this video) and he is a nice guy too, all the proceeds for Ninja: First Mission are going to charity!


Naturally, hugely jealous, I really wanted to hate Ninja: First Mission, his first book for Barrington Stoke, but it is hard not to love it. 


The first of a series set in Japan in 1580. Taka is training to be a ninja. He is a little over-confident and the start to the story is not what you'd expect. The back story and setting is nicely woven into the story; we learn about his family history, clan, rivals, enemies, friends and training. Super language too, I love the sound of the 'Sixteen Secret Fists' technique.


The First Mission of the title, is a personal and significant challenge for Taka. We are not sure of his true motivation, is he being driven by or vengeance rather than dedication to his ninja clan? This truly adds to the thrill of the adventure.


I am very much looking forward to the continuing series. I enjoyed the realism and historical setting, a real contrast to the Lords of Pain series, and the manga-style illustrations are superb.


By the way, the video I mentioned above, is an introduction to the Ninja Challenge, a duelling card game to be played on or offline, looks brilliant for Reading Matters partnerships, more resources on the Chris Bradford website too.