About Read a Million Words

Read a Million Words launched in October 2004 in Bristol. The idea is a simple one - to challenge children and young people to read a million words in a year, and to encourage those children to read more for pleasure and purpose. This ideal may be achieved not just by reading books but by also accessing any form of the written word. It can include digital texts - such as the Internet, film and radio scripts, to road signs, food labels, magazines and comics. Words can be read in any language or in several languages. Depending on age and ability the million-word target may be achieved individually or in groups.

Children are asked to record their journey to the 'Land of a Million Words' by using the online passport. There are also a number of bright and colourful interactive tools on this website to help them with word counts and suggested titles such as the wonderfully animated Book-o-matic and the very simple Word-o-meter.

Background

Read a Million Words is committed to helping to raise literacy standards amongst children in Bristol. The project was initiated by a group of Bristol Local Authority head teachers who saw a similar successful programme operating in Denver, Colorado. Nick Batchelar, Programme Director, Children and Young People's Services, Bristol said:

'Bristol City Council is proud to support such a worthwhile project. Raising standards in Bristol schools is our top priority and promoting reading is a key part of this. Read a Million Words' Champion Schools is a fantastic idea for bringing Bristol schools closer together and for sharing the good practice that occurs every day in our city...'

Read a Million Words is registered as a charity, which fundraises throughout the year. The aim of the project is to provide schools and children across Bristol with access to a dedicated interactive website, creative ideas and ways to read more for pleasure, resources, events and brand new books. Several local companies including Somerfield and Starbucks support the scheme, enabling hard copies of passports, reading packs and other materials to be delivered to schools.

The National Literacy Trust and The Basic Skills Agency both endorse Read a Million Words which is based at GWR FM. The radio station supports the project and has donated significant airtime over the last three years.