Dundee project: Book Detectives

Through an initial audit of primary to secondary liaison, the Harris Academy cluster identified the need to extend pupils' interaction with texts, to support teachers in their engagement/teaching of the writer's craft for specific purposes and to provide opportunities for pupils to apply their analysis of texts to their own creative writing.

In addition they wanted to develop a professional understanding of roles between sectors and to develop effective practices to ensure coherence, continuity and progression. Importantly, teachers required materials which provided more opportunities for pupils to undertake tasks related to National Assessments in reading.

The Aberdeenshire Council 'Book Detective' materials were suggested by the Quality Improvement Officer as a resource to support teachers in engaging pupils with the writer's craft. Learning and Teaching Scotland's pupil questionnaire was used to ascertain pupils' experiences in English language, their thoughts and how they felt about different aspects of the subject. At the end of the project period the questionnaire was re-issued to view any changes in pupils' opinions and feelings.

The resource was trialled with pupils, using group and class lessons. Teachers modelled each of the detective roles. Contact with parents/carers via questionnaires and home activities was successful in identifying the impact of the project on home reading and attitudes towards personal reading.

Schools and parents report improved attainment and engagement with reading. 

The project will now inform the Literacy strategy for the city and be replicated in all primary schools and some clusters.

Project feedback from teachers

The response from the teachers involved in the Book Detectives project has been highly positive:

• ‘Book Detectives is an extremely valuable, easy-to-use resource, which has developed children's reading skills. Children are motivated and it has given them a purpose to their (personal) reading.'  (Julie Morrison)

• ‘Book Detectives have made a huge impact on reading and writing in my classroom. The children are much more enthusiastic when reading and are more able to fully understand the text. This has led to an increased enjoyment of writing and greatly improved the standard of work. As a teacher it has made me feel much more confident in the teaching of literacy skills.'  (Gillian Young)

• ‘Some of the most effective reading and writing lessons I've taught. Bite-size writing tasks motivated boys in particular.'  (Colin Watson)

Project feedback from parents

The reaction from parents towards the project are equally encouraging:

• 'The stories have been interesting and enjoyable and he (pupil) seems to have learned to comprehend what he is reading because he knows he is looking for relevant questions/meanings.'

• 'A deeper interest in her reading has developed because it is a more fun way of learning. Improves spelling and understanding different words. Long may it continue.'

• 'It has sparked an increased awareness and introduced stories which he has enjoyed reading.'