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Posted on March 10th 2014
World Book Day 2014
Reading for fun was the theme of a host of special activities at the academy to coincide with World Book Day on 6 March. And a lot of fun it was too!
Free bookshop
Every student could pick up a free book from our own mini bookshop run in partnership with Rye Books, stocked with six specially chosen titles. Aaliyah from year 8 chose The Boy in the Smoke by Maureen Johnson. “It looked scary and I like scary books,” she told us.
Meet a word millionaire
Ayisat (left) is a word millionaire, having read over one million words through our Millionaires Club reading scheme, which is linked to our Renaissance Learning programme in English.
“I absolutely love reading,” she says. “It brings you into an imagined world and helps you understand different people. It takes you away from your troubles because there becomes no world but the world of your book.”
Students have to answer a few questions to show they’ve completed the book, and then the number of words in the book is added to their score. So far we have 18 word millionaires in the academy, and more on the way.
Malorie Blackman in person
Students got the chance to meet Malorie Blackman (bottom left), award-winning author of acclaimed books including Noughts and Crosses, at a special event at Waterstones, Piccadilly, to announce the 50 most popular books for young adult readers, as voted by the public.
As well as discussing the list, including the Hunger Games which came out top, Malorie read from Noughts and Crosses, took part in a Q&A with the audience and then signed copies of her books. The students were really excited to be meeting one of their literary idols. Malorie even showed some excitement when we revealed we were from the school that she used to attend in the past!
Money for good causes
A sponsored read, launched on World Book Day, was a chance to combine a love of books with raising money for local good causes. “I like helping people and I like reading books,” said Rasheedat (left) from year 8. “I can read a big book in two days so that’s why I think I can raise £50.”
World Book Day quiz
We also had our own World Book Day quiz with questions including anagrams of book titles, the opening lines of popular books and famous books with their titles in other languages for students to translate. Blessing Peters in Year 8 came out top, with a book token as her prize.
“We place a big emphasis on literacy across the curriculum but World Book Day is all about reading for fun too,” said David Workman, Literary Events Administrator. "That’s why lots of members of staff agreed to dress up for the occasion!”
Teachers join the fun. Aslan, the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter (aka Craig Jackson, Charlotte Tatam and David Workman) dress up for World Book Day.
