Would mums be interested in after school book club for children?

[Brijoamofah]

Like most, I am appalled at the literacy rates in London, England.

Together with a couple of friends, we have decided to put together a book club aimed at 4-14 year olds to help increase literacy skills, but also get children excited about reading again!

Everyone involved is involved in the arts in some way, so it would very much be a lively approach! We would target schools, particularly inner London schools and would replace the after school club 'model' so parents can leave their children with us and we would choose a book each week to read together and also create our own. We are looking for feedback, and just to gage really whether you guys think this would be a good idea and what elements you would want to see included. Any points, feedback, questions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

Bridgette

I run a before school book club for 7-11 year olds. It's proved popular but is used equally for drop off as for literacy exposure. One of the difficulties with a wide age range is targeting your reading choice. I do a mix of reading books (shortish ones or else they forget or read ahead and get bored), myths & legends and short stories (A Liitle Aloud - great book). You can have a look at the reading agency which gives suggestions on running book clubs - I have collected some resources here : www.booksteensandmagazines.com/school-resources
I also send out half termly newsletters to my parents with book suggestions and information on plays/exhibitions/festivals.
Good luck.

Hmm. Id start by asking whether you'll be involving dads at all, your title seems to make some assumptions.
How bad are literacy rates in london, england? How does that compare to all the other londons?

Are the schools onside? I suspect theyll be quite rightly opposed.

To be honest I think Mums (and Dads) would be interested BUT would children be interested? I always used to do those library reading schemes with my DS and it was fine until he got to age 7 or 8 and then it was a real strugge to get bribe him to go.

Well done you for havng the idea, I agree that reading skills amongst many children is very poor but I just don't know that enough children would really think 'great, book club night tonight' .

I think some children would be interested, particularly if it was presented in a fun way, and clearly differentiated from English lessons. Maybe by incorporating chat, creative writing and drawing, film and TV versions etc.

Have you seen the report that was recently published about children's reading for pleasure? Sorry, I don't have a link, but there was an article in the Observer on Sunday, with teachers reporting that the curriculum is too crowded to enable them to share books for pleasure. What an indictment of our education system, hey?

Also, have you talked to some English teachers? What do they think?

Not based in London, but would be interested to talk to you further about your project if it takes off.

My dc would all love a book club(12,9 and 6). They all read extensively for pleasure.

BUT I cannot see a book club for age 4 to 14 working simply because you won't find a book to interest all levels.
Even with my three you would struggle to find a book that would interest all three. Not just that their interests are different, but simply the level they are reading at.
Dd1 is reading adult books, and has been for some time. Dd2 is very much young teen books, Ds does read adult stuff, but only non fiction, he wouldn't cope with a fiction book anywhere near the level dd2 would want to study.

Dd1 and dd2 don't particularly enjoy being read to, although they would enjoy the discussion. They would prefer to read the book in advance and come and discuss it.
Ds wouldn't be at that stage yet, he'd want you to read it, but probably wouldn't be interested in discussion, unless you read a book about the technology behind WWII planes, in which case he'd be turned out at the end still discussing it.

It might be useful in the holidays but after school my children prefer to do sporty things. I can just imagine ds's face if I suggested an activity that involved sitting down and thinking after a long day at school!

I think it is a lovely idea. However I agree with all the other posts.