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Read a Million Words - Background

Read a Million Words is a simple idea - to encourage children to read more for pleasure and purpose . If children enjoy reading, they will be able to access more information about the world around them and subsequently foster skills for life.  Read a Million Words encourages youngsters to read not just books but all kinds of alternative texts such as the internet, magazines, comics, radio scripts, timetables and posters...the list goes on. Reading really can be about so much more than books!

Our aim is to encourage children, parents and carers to work together to explore a mixture of texts in any language, and for children to enjoy what they read. Family Learning is a unique way of learning that has proved to be effective in developing skills and increasing parents' confidence and self-esteem in supporting their children's learning.

We have worked with schools and parents for over 4 years, and there are lots of resources, guidance, case studies, tips and advice on this website to help you encourage your child to read more for fun. Most importantly, you can use the interactive elements at home with your child. The online reading passport is a simple, fun way to record the number of words read both by yourself and your child. Why not launch the million word challenge with all the family? As well as counting words together, you could also discuss your favourite reads and include magazines and newspapers.
 

'Learning to Love Reading' sponsored by The Basic Skills Agency

We believe that parents and carers can play an important role in children's reading development and the link between home and school is vital. To get started, download our  'Learning to Love Reading' Pack in the Parent Resources Section. We hope it will motivate you when joining the Read a Million Words challenge, and give some useful tips and ideas on supporting your child's reading. We have also included sign posting for literacy courses and where to find specialised books.


Some of the Read a Million Words Family Learning Activites we have run recently are:


Story Soup - A collection of family learning events held across Bristol to encourage the art of storytelling. Parents were also shown how to create their very own 'Story Sacks' with the children.

Bristol Storytelling Festival 2007 / 2008

Storytelling is a natural human instinct and one of the oldest art forms. Storytelling uses the power of the spoken word to take listeners on a journey of the imagination. Through oral storytelling each story is recreated in the moment - in the space between teller and listener.

Bristol Storytelling Festival was the very first event of its kind and aims to celebrate and promote stories and storytelling in the city of Bristol. It is held during National Storytelling Week, at the end of January each year. During this week a programme of events across Bristol bring together people of all ages to experience and enjoy the magic of storytelling.

Throughout the Festival, spellbinding storytellers skilfully weave local legends, folk tales, tall stories, ghostly rumours and enchanting yarns from Bristol and beyond. Bristol Storytelling Festival is directed by Martin Maudsley in association with Read a Million Words. National Storytelling Week is promoted by the Society for Storytelling.



Is your child a word millionaire?

Does your child or anyone you know deserve some recognition for taking part in the challenge? Has their reading come on in leaps and bounds? Have they reached a target they set themselves? Maybe 100,000 or even a million words? Then make sure you let us know. Simply email us a couple of lines so we can add the information to our website.  Send all details to info@readamillionwords.org.uk or tel: 0117 900388.


RaW

RaW is aimed specifically at adults and offers advice on how to improvew reading and writing skills. For more information or to find out about free phone coaching to help with reading and writing, look at the BBC's website: www.bbc.co.uk/raw. You can also call 08000 150950 to find out more about your local RaW centre.


What are good books to read with my children ?

Sharing a book is fun and it's easy too. It can create the perfect bond between you and your child. It can also show children who are beginning to read what it's like to be a fluent reader. There's nothing like sharing a book, and many children will have happy memories of sharing this special time with you, grandparents or even brothers and sisters. Download the 'Good Books to Read Aloud' in the Parent Resources section  for lots of ideas.
Useful Websites

www.lovereading.co.uk - Great reads for adults, and downloadable first chapters.

www.lovereading4kids.co.uk - Aimed at children but also useful for adults who are looking to buy their children books. Each age category has a different selection of books, making it really easy for children and parents to select new titles. First chapters can be downloaded so children can have a taster.

www.familyreading.org.uk - loads of ideas about reading with your children, this site is part of The National Literacy Trust.