Reading for pleasure enhances empathy and the ability to understand others’ identities
Teachers’ Reading Challenge
What is the Teachers’ Reading Challenge?
The Teachers’ Reading Challenge is an opportunity for school and library staff to expand their knowledge of contemporary children’s books and develop their skills in teaching children to read for pleasure.
Run by The Reading Agency in partnership with the Open University, the Challenge invites participants to join a supportive and inspired community of educators and readers, set their own reading goals, share recommendations, discuss best practice, access resources, and record their knowledge.
Who is it for?
The Challenge is designed for every professional who contributes to a child’s reading journey, from the teacher who makes time for classroom reading, to the librarian who recommends a child their first book, to the student teachers on their way to becoming the reading advocates of the future. The 2024 Teachers’ Reading Challenge will launch in early summer.
Sign up to take part and receive exciting newsletter updates at teachersreadingchallenge.org.uk.
Our Research
“Reading for pleasure is a globally recognised indicator in a huge range of social issues from poverty to mental health, yet in England alone, 36% of people don’t regularly read.” (DCMS, 2015)
Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education
Resources
Kirsten Barrett's Books of Belonging
For this year’s Teachers’ Reading Challenge we are exploring ‘Diverse Realities’ and have asked expert educators to give us their recommendations on topics within that…
Rebecca Rouillard's Window on the World
For this year’s Teachers’ Reading Challenge we are exploring ‘Diverse Realities’ and have asked expert educators to give us their recommendations on topics within that…
Stephen Dilley's Reclaiming Stories
For this year's Teachers' Reading Challenge we are exploring 'Diverse Realities' and have asked expert educators to give us their recommendations on topics within that…
The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin - code breaking activity
*A thrilling middle grade historical adventure from bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin.* Remember, you are bound by the official secrets act… It is…
Latest News
Teachers Reading Challenge 2022: living and breathing reading in South Ayshire
In January 2023, The Reading Agency spoke to Ashley G., a primary teacher working with P6/7 pupils in South Ayrshire about her…
The Reading Agency and The Open University’s Teachers’ Reading Challenge returns for 2021
After a hugely successful inaugural year in 2020 that saw over 2,400 people take part, The Teachers’ Reading Challenge will return this July.
Teachers’ Reading Challenge Website Launches
The initiative is the first teachers’ reading challenge of its kind, utilising research and resources from the OU’s Reading for Pleasure programme and The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge.
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