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Reading
Within our school every effort is made to foster a love of books among our pupils. We believe this is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive. For younger children we follow a shared reading programme. This is a partnership between parent and child. Each pupil (even junior infants) take a book home from the school library. Children select their own books thus reflecting their own reading level and individual interests. In the junior classes parents and children read aloud together. Teachers keep a record of books read by children. In the senior classes pupils keep their own record using library cards and book lists.
The end result is that children are in control of the reading process thus ensuring reading is no longer a task but a pleasure. We bought a lot of new books last year with the Department of Education reading initiative grant. We held a book fair which also helped augment our library. We have a mobile library service from Roscommon County library. A group of children (guided by teachers and the librarian) select books for their class. Library time is given during school to encourage the children to read these books. Children discuss books read and do book reviews.
We had a very worthwhile visit from Kate McMahon, the author of "Horse of a different colour" and "Timber Twig". She read an extract from "Timber Twig" - many children subsequently read this book. She explained , she herself found her school days very difficult as she is dyslexic. She has overcome her difficulties and felt if she could write a book any of our pupils could too! The children were fascinated to see and speak to a real, live author. We are arranging another authors visit shortly.