Mapping the reading year
How to build a calendar of reading events
A calendar of reading events, contributed to by all departments, is essential in promoting reading for enjoyment. The following resource
provides you with the tools to build your own unique school reading calendar. It provides a map of the year and a range of activities
(including national promotions, school events, competitions/quizzes, book awards and displays) to add to your calendar. It is intended to
be used as a card sort where the range of activities are cut up and glued onto the calendar.
Use this with your literacy team, at a Subject Leader meeting or even a whole staff meeting so that all departments can be involved and
promoting pupils' love for reading in their subject.
Contents
The reading calendar
Filling your reading calendar (2013-14)
1. National promotions
2. Book awards
3. School events
4. Competitions and quizzes
5. Displays
Useful links
Based on resources used by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The reading calendar
Autumn term – first half
Autumn term – second half
Events, awards and promotions
Events, awards and promotions
Competitions/quizzes
Competitions/quizzes
Display
Display
Spring term – first half
Spring term – second half
Events, awards and promotions
Events, awards and promotions
Competitions/quizzes
Competitions/quizzes
Display
Display
Summer term – first half
Summer term – second half
Events, awards and promotions
Events, awards and promotions
Competitions/quizzes
Competitions/quizzes
Display
Display
Filling your reading calendar (2013-14)
The cards below contain ideas for activities and events that you could include on your reading calendar. Each section includes a few
spare cards for you to include your own ideas.
1. National promotions
International Literacy Day
(8 September)
Black History Month
(October)
National Poetry Day
(Thursday, 3 October)
International School Library Day
(7 October)
Family Learning Week
(19 October-3 November)
National Schools’ Film Week
(21 October- 8 November)
National Storytelling Week
(February 1-8)
World Book Day
(6 March)
World Storytelling Day
(20 March)
International Children’s Book
Day
(2 April)
National Share a Story Month
(May)
National Children’s Book Week
(12-18 May)
National Summer Reading
Challenge in Libraries
(summer holidays)
2. Book awards
The Blue Peter Book Prize
(30 August-6 March)
The Guardian Children’s Fiction
Prize
(October)
The Man Booker Prize
Carnegie Children’s Book Award
(March – June)
Kate Greenaway Children’s
Book Award
Woman’s Prize for Fiction
(June)
(March-June)
(15 October)
The Costa Book Awards
(January)
3. School events
Book Fair
Visit to local
primary/secondary school
Raffle
Fundraising event
Sponsored read
Author visit
Assembly
Website launch
Book-making
Recommended reads book
list
Book swap
Storytelling
Book Blind Date (for
Valentine’s Day)
Poetry slam
Debate, e.g. balloon debate
Joint event with another
school or the local library
Staff reading group
Parent reading group