There are a few things which have stuck with me today as I begin the RPI (Reading Programme Intensive) and now while I reflect on today’s information.
Before now I had never really given thought to my role in influencing student perceptions about reading. I know I have a privileged place in my community and a responsibility to embody being a positive male role model. However, I had never thought about the nuances of the position.
All day it’s left me with the question floating through my muddled, mushy brain… ‘Do I make reading seen as valuable to/for my students?’
The majority of my work day is spend in the company of teenage boys. Notoriously and stereotypically ‘bad’ readers – I now worry that I’m not doing enough to break down barriers and societal norms in this respect.
Lucky the first day hasn’t left me with anything too heavy to consider?!
Aside from my now semi-permanent existential crisis the course has been great. Although it has been a tsunami of information, links, slideshows and breakout rooms, everything has been delivered with a nice pace to it, nothing has been too tedious and all activities have been directly linked back to the sessions key focus.
I now have more of an insight in to the ways that an effective reading programme should:
– Challenge and extend students
– Celebrate success
– Allow for a selection of interest based texts and from a variety of different mediums
– Facilitate self, peer and teacher reflection
– and so much more!
One thing I have been encouraged by is that my intended plan in my class is going to support the material covered today in promoting students to be good readers. The Big Picture Learning class I am running this year requires books to be read each term, reflections to be written about these and I also already have a list of relevant texts which I am going to be reading to/with the class at various times.
Although I don’t come from a background with any literacy focus I believe that I’m confident enough to get stuck in, not scared to make mistakes and hopefully eventually chip away at that existential crisis too (if I have time 
Looking forward to session #2 in three weeks time. Better remember to do my homework as well so I don’t get told off!