Highland Building Bridges case studies
Reading for information / reciprocal teaching:
Inverness High School and Merkinch and Dalneigh Primary Schools
Parents and pupils reading project SHRIMP:
Invergordon Academy and Milton Primary School
PDF file: Highland Building Bridges case study - SHRIMP
Inverness High School and Merkinch and Dalneigh Primary Schools
All three schools have attainment in reading and writing below the national average. Looking to address this issue, the schools adopted the ‘Reciprocal Teaching’ methodologies outlined at the first National Building Bridges Conference. The PT science was invited to join the project to examine ways of improving reading for information. Funding was used to release secondary staff to work collaboratively with colleagues in their P7 classes to develop a consistency of approach and build professional relationships prior to transition.
Development meetings were held prior to delivery of the project, with planning and noting of baseline measurements. A time allocation of 40/60 minutes per week was agreed and the four skills of Reciprocal Teaching – predicting, clarifying, questioning and summarising – were taught and reinforced. Children became progressively more independent, with pupils taking over roles previously played by teachers. Scheduled staff discussions took place to review matters and strong professional friendships emerged.
Evaluation indicates improved pupil motivation, increased popularity of the methodologies used and frequently pupil support for each other. The confidence of less able readers was boosted and pupils of all abilities were able to take on roles within groups.
In each of the three locations work continues in rolling out the project to other departments and schools not previously involved.
Invergordon Academy and Milton Primary School
Invergordon, a school of 420 pupils on the shores of the Cromarty Firth, is about 25 miles north of Inverness and serves the town of Invergordon, the villages of Milton and Kildary and the rural areas of Newmore. Milton Primary has 86 pupils and is situated in a housing estate near Kildary about 6 miles north of Invergordon.
Raising and sustaining reading attainment by involving parents was the driving force behind this nine-month project which involved all children in P6–S1. All children were ‘awarded’ an adult who would share reading. A variety of books were made available across a wide ability range and general reading targets were set. After a formal launch, the project gathered momentum with themed evenings and author visits. Questions were sent home to stimulate discussion and ‘Accelerated Reading’ was purchased to provide quizzes. A ‘before and after’ reading survey was conducted.
Pupil feedback was positive, with some even complaining of slow-reading parents! Parents reported a new-found enjoyment in sharing books (something they had not done since their children were little) and a sense of shared experience thought to be particularly valuable at a time when social interests were diverging. A notable feature was how many dads were involved in the reading! Unfortunately there were a few children who found it difficult to cope even with adult help.
Staff from outwith the English department were involved and valuable relationships were established. Book talk was in the air and the social evenings were a success.
Aims had been achieved, with many more books having been read, National Test levels having improved, parents having been successfully involved and the profile of reading having been raised.
The initiative will continue with an expanded range of books and a second primary school, Merkinch, successfully on board. Enthused volunteers are already preparing for a repeat performance.