The RED Book Award is an initiative by Falkirk Council in
Scotland to promote reading by raising awareness of new titles and encouraging
teenagers to read, enjoy and debate (R.E.D) good books. This year is a
celebration of 10 years, and ten secondary classes from different countries
across the world were selected to participate with Falkirk schools. Students in
Mrs Spina’s year 8/9 English class, in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, were
the lucky Australians chosen.
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| Students enjoying the books |
This week we received our lot of books. There are
four different titles ‘Beneath’, ‘Inflicted’, ‘Salvaged’ and ‘Mind Blind’ all
specifically chosen for 13 – 15 year olds. Students have already begun reading
their first book in silent reading, and we have already had several requests to
take the books home to continue reading!
Enjoyment and choice is at the heart of pupils’ experiences
as well as the opportunity to develop listening and talking, reading and
writing skills.
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| Students with Dion |
As participants, we have been teamed up with a sister school in
Denny and we will be communicating and sharing our thoughts and views on the
books. Some of our responsibilities as participants is to provide some fabric
that represents us/Australia that will be added to a patchwork quilt that
represents the selected schools and countries. Fortunately, after discussions
with Mrs Boulter, she was able to organise our local artist Dion Beasley to provide a
fabric piece featuring Dion’s Cheeky Dogs. Further to this, Dion very
generously donated a copy of the book he illustrated ‘Too Many Cheeky Dogs’ for
us to send to Scotland. Our librarian, Mrs Walsh is making a special bookplate
and has also donated some other beautiful Australiana fabric featuring platypuses,
kangaroos, koalas and Aboriginal artwork. Students in photography classes have
also begun planning the visual images they wish to create and send, while
others are planning a sleep over in order to Skype our new Scottish friends.
If
any blog readers have further suggestions or items to donate, please contact
our wonderful librarian Shelagh Walsh, who first introduced us to the RED Book
Awards.
It is a wonderful opportunity to read some fantastic
short-listed books, as well as talk to students on the other side of the world.
Massive thanks to Yvonne Manning and the Falkirk Council for including us in
this exciting experience.
Stay Tuned for book reviews and More!
(Guest Blogger this week is Mrs Spina)
