Primary school’s ‘Take a Book Week’ inspiring pupil’s love for reading

Article written for JESMOND LOCAL University module

Image credit: West Jesmond Primary School

Pupils at West Jesmond Primary School (WJPS) have stepped into worlds of imagination and adventure. This comes with the school’s initiative to inspire interest for art, reading and writing.

Every year, the scheme selects one book the whole school reads and tailors stimulating activities from Reception to Year 6. At the end of the week, every pupil produces a piece of poetic writing and an art project inspired by a book.

Focusing on the book Voices in the Park by Anthony Brown, the illustrated story has many themes, literature devices and layers that allow children of all ages to engage with.

Programme Leader Mr. Ed Snelders, who started the initiative 7 years ago, explained every class have a different focus from narrative poems, haiku, imagery and simile. In art, each year group either do printing or collage either drawing or digital.

“Take a Book Week is a week of fun and creativity- it pushes us to do our best work in an enjoyable way. All the classes share one book and express their points of views in unique ways” – Malu, WJPS pupil.

Year 4 focused on showing the emotional journey that Dad goes through in the book by hiding a positive, cheerful sky background behind a gloomy, negative foreground created with tessellated shapes.

“All 630 [pupils] have something to talk about to their parents when they go home. It makes me happy”-Ava

We usually use picture books, but here at West Jesmond, a picture is worth more that 1000 words”– Sophie and Harry

“Each year I’ve learnt something different, I really enjoyed take one book week”-Martha

Mr. Snelders said “Finding a book that appeals to a 4 year old and an 11 year old and everyone in between is challenging. ‘The use of illustration, not too wordy or no words at all, what will grab their imagination. Is there a thread their that can inspire their art and poetry”.

Image credits: Grace Boyle

“All the children can talk about it and share their work. We end up with a great range of pieces of artwork, poems and make a big display of in school”

Mr. Ed Snelders

Other books WJPS pupils have looked at for Take a Book Week reflect local stories and the 20 different languages spoken in the school. Titles and authors include The Dam by David Almond and Levi Pinfold from Northumberland and cater to English as an additional language (EAL) pupils and Mirror by Jeanie Baker, incorporating Arabic and English learners.

West Jesmond Primary resides on Tankerville Terrace and supports pupils from over 30 countries around the world. Over 30 languages are spoken by pupils which adds to the unique nature of the school that caters quality multicultural learning since 1901.

Newcastle City Councillor of Children and Families, Cath McEvory-Carr said, “Nurturing a love of reading is so important to children’s development and initiatives like Take a Book Week, light the way for young minds to explore the endless worlds of reading and creativity. Well done to West Jesmond Primary and all the pupils who took part.”