Free toolkit helps schools run book clubs that boost reading skills
A new toolkit released this week shows teachers how to run relaxed book clubs with no pressure to read. Over 400 children across 17 UK schools took part in a trial between October 2024 and February 2025. One group of 32 boys increased their reading age by an average of 1 year and 3 months, according to STAR Reading Assessment data. The School Library Association reported that 84 percent said it was a worthwhile experience and 60 percent said they were more interested in books and reading after the study. Developed with Farshore and HarperCollins Children's Books, the Social Reading Spaces Toolkit contains everything needed to set up social book clubs in schools.
Students struggling with reading can improve faster through casual book discussions than traditional instruction.
Source: New Social Reading Spaces Toolkit (sla.org.uk). Spotted via Reasons to be Cheerful.
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