Chapter Graphic : Favourite Book
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  Level: Year 4 and year 8
Approach: One to one
Focus: Enjoyment of reading.
544k
Resources: Sheet of photographs.

Questions / instructions:
Show the student the photo page.

Here are some pictures showing children enjoying reading books. In this activity I'm interested in hearing you tell me about a book you've read this year. Try to think of one that you really enjoyed. When you've thought of one, let me know.
Allow time for student to think of a book. If they can't think of a book from this year, suggest they choose a book from a previous year. When student is ready, ask:

     
% responses
y4
y8
1. Can you remember the name or title of the book?

Prompt: What was the title?

specifies title clearly
83
84
 
identifies series — no specific title
10
7
unclear/unsure of title
4
5
no response
3
4
2. Do you remember who wrote it?
Prompt: Who wrote it?
named fully
27
52
 
surname only
1
2
unclear/ unsure
4
25
no response
68
21
3. Now think about the book and what made it really good for you to read.
Explain to me why you enjoyed the book.
What made it good
genre/type
20
43
topic/content
64
77
pictures
17
6
characters
36
40
reading level
10
11
learned a lot from it
7
8
writing style
23
30
How strongly did student communicate enjoyment?
extremely strongly
2
3
 
strongly
18
35
moderately
42
44
a little 35 14
not at all 3 4
4. Did someone give you the book to read, or did you find it on your own?

Prompt: Where did you get the book from?

home
11
10
friend
4
7
school library
32
36
classroom
17
9
community library
6
8
gift
19
15
school book club
1
1
personal purchase
5
8
Duffy's Books
4
3
don't read at all
1
3
Commentary:
This task gives an interesting picture of students' use of and response to books. Students are not very conscious of authors, particularly at year 4 level. They say they choose books mainly because of the topic/content, but also because of the characters, genre and writing style. By far the most important source is the school library, suggesting the importance of students having access to quality school library resources.
 
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