Welcome to The Reading Jackdaw. I hope to feed hungry readers and create an appetite for reading through a range of reading resources, book lists, recommendations, reviews, expertise, support and creativity.
Welcome to The Reading Jackdaw. I hope to feed hungry readers and create an appetite for reading through a range of reading resources, book lists, recommendations, reviews, expertise, support and creativity.
Travel the world or stay at home try this Summer Reading Challenge for any age, simply read a book linked to the various summer holiday activities. Download the accompanying booklist for ideas of what to read.
A comprehensive list of fiction to match over half of the Olympic sports at Paris 2024. For all school ages from Reception to 14+ this list includes information on Olympians and Paralympians who have written fiction and will complement any Olympic display that you are planning for the library or classroom.
24 Book related challenges, activities and questions that require no previous reading, perfect for a class or group activity in the classroom or library. Get them to complete a line, a diagonal or a full house for added entertainment.
A book quest for 9 to 12 year olds that does not necessarily require the pupil to have read the books so perfect for class or group activities. Individuals or groups can work at researching a line, diagonal or a full house.
24 Book related challenges, activities and questions that require no previous reading, perfect for a class or group activity in the classroom or library. Get them to complete a line, a diagonal or a full house for added entertainment.
A free to download book list for Years 5&6 divided into 7 genres or topics and picked from popular and often short and longlisted children’s fiction.
A free to download book list for Years 7&8 divided into 7 genres or topics and picked from popular and often short and longlisted children’s fiction.
A free to download book list for Years 3&4 divided into 7 genres or topics and picked from popular and often short and longlisted children’s fiction.
Easy to use 38 wk reading record for any age with an emphasis on reading for pleasure, choice and discussion. Designed to give pupils more ownership over their reading, can be made into an A5 booklet when printed.
Each week the pupil chooses from 1 to 8 reading tasks such as reading to someone, reading silently alone or with someone, having someone read to you, reading in bed etc
Pupils also choose 1 extra activity to complete that week from 6 choices such as making a book poster or bookmarks, listening to an author talk or doing a book quest activity
Space for a comment each week from an adult or the pupil
Space to write what they are reading
Comes with instructions, book quest activities and space for an end of year comment from the pupil about their reading journey.
Instructions for printing
Print in A4 landscape double sided flipped on the short edge
The first 2 sheets form the front and back covers and inside covers
The remaining sheets form the 38wk journal, print less for a shorter period.
A Year 7 Fiction Menu designed specifically for your 2024 Y7 starters to taste some of the best fiction around. Designed in the style of a restaurant menu it has 6 categories and is a 6 sided, free standing resource. The 2023 starter Fiction Menu is also included for free and so the 2 Menus include 60 titles to choose from. Simply print in landscape double sided on the short side and fold.
The 2024 menu categories are:
Starters: shorter reads
School Snacks: fiction set in school
A Taste of the Past: Historical fiction
A Feast of Fantasy: Fantasy, Sci-fi & Horror
World Cuisine: Fiction set in places other than the UK
Chef’s Choice: Some of my favourite titles
A simple groups game that encourages book chat, perfect for library lessons or book clubs and can be used for anyone 3 to 100. All you need is a group of readers and 2 dice.
Fun certificates to reward reading for pleasure where you might not necessarily expect it, award a small prize along with the certificate when you find a child reading in the playground, walking around school, in the lunch queue. I have found that they start reading in the hope to be caught!