Reading & Writing at RWS
The overarching aim for reading and writing at Ravens Wood is to promote and celebrate high standards of literacy by equipping students with a strong command of written language, and to develop a knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of reading and writing in different contexts. Reading and writing are developed through quality teaching and learning across the curriculum where students benefit from opportunities for silent focussed writing in all of their lessons.
We also actively encourage reading through our weekly reading lessons for Years 7-8 and our ‘Classic Reading’ programme for years 7-10. Writing is celebrated throughout the school and we encourage students to participate in writing competitions in school, locally and nationally.
Our reading and writing is also supported and inspired by our Poetry Anthology for Year 7 and 8, where students are learning poems by heart. More information about Reading and Writing at Ravens Wood can be found in the attachment below.
Since home learning has begun, we recognise the increasing importance of cultivating an independent love of reading - both for pleasure and purpose. We have recommended 'free' sources of eBooks for parents/carers and students to take advantage of but we appreciate the need to provide more permanent, easy access to quality reading material for all. We still have our KS3 Learning Commons/ Reading Room facility stocked with popular and classic texts but we are, at least for now, steering away from hard copies and moving into the virtual world!
We are excited to let you know that we’ve signed up to a new virtual library, VLeBooks, so that you can now borrow eBooks and read them on any device. All students will be able to access this platform, please see the video and PDF ‘How To…’ guides below. Currently, we are building up our stock and are happy for you to email any suggestions of texts you would like to see next term to Ms Coveney: lmc@rws.uk.net
VLeBooks How To Guide (Click to view)
Click here to find out more about Reading & Writing at RWS
Weekly Short Stories from April 2020
Please click the links below to access a copy of our short stories for student reading.
Week 3 - I Guess Everything Reminds You of Something
Week 6 - Death of a Government Clerk (English)
Week 6 - Death of a Government Clerk (Russian)
Week 9 - Sir Roderick Comes to Lunch
Monthly Short Stories
Please click the links below to access a copy of our short stories for student reading.
November 2019: Short Story 1 - The Signal-man
December 2019: Short Story 2 - The Hand (English)
December 2019: Short Story 2 - Le Main (French)
January 2020: Short Story 3 - The Lumber Room
February 2020: Short Story 4 - A Journey Complete
March 2020: Short Story 5 - The Happy Prince
Words of the Week
Year 7 and 8 Writing Challenge
The annual RWS500 competition is completed by Year 7 and 8 students. The task is to consider something topical that they have enjoyed reading (it could be anything from a newspaper, magazine, book – fiction or non-fiction or on the internet).
Students then explain what they have discovered that they did not know, would be interesting to their friends, and would be valuable for society at large (parents, teachers, employers, politicians, etc.) to be aware of and why?
Students write 500 words and submit their entry to Ms Spence headteacher. The entries are then shortlisted to 8 students, who join Ms Spence for a Seminar lunch with one of the School governors to discuss their writing. In 2019 there were 262 entries.
The winning entries from 2018 and 2019 can be read and listened to using the links below.