I stood on the shore this year, and silently watched all those little vessels sailing out to SEA. There just didn't seem to be a need for me to remind children-or their parents-that they were going to be all right. I didn't feel the need to remind children to celebrate themselves and their accomplishments after that grueling SEA exam was over. Now, I have a new mission and a new concern: all those little vessels just drifting out there with no intention of sailing to shore until next September.
When we make exams the beginning and end of the world we tend to think of them as the climax of our children's educational experience. We tend to feel that nothing else matters but gathering our sea legs for the next big voyage to the next big exam. There seems to be all the time in the world after SEA to relax and get ready for secondary school, but that's simply not true. We can't afford to squander five months of our children's education. When it comes to education, there are many studies that show the children who do best in school are the ones who read every day and sustain that momentum over the long holidays. These students return to school the next year at least three to six months ahead of their non-reading peers, academically speaking. They read faster and interpret information better.
Clearly this shows that we can't afford to squander those six months between SEA and secondary school. We can't afford to think of that time after SEA as an extended vacation or waiting period to enter secondary school. This time is a golden opportunity for developing reading skills, so no parent should allow their children to skip any school after SEA. What goes on now is just as important-maybe even more important than what went on before SEA because this is the opportunity to explore many new learning experiences. This is the best time of year for primary school teachers and parents to work hand in hand to ensure that no child gets stuck in the Sargasso Sea.
It's an opportune time for teachers and parents to explore the possibility of book clubs inside or outside of school. It's building a dock, so to speak, for that next great voyage. If we can use this murky space between SEA and secondary school as a time to foster reading and introduce students to books they might not be aware of, then it will be clear sailing to secondary school.
Here are some ideas for book clubs:
1. Discover the wonderful world of Caribbean literature-There is so much great Caribbean literature out there in your favourite local book store. Ask to see all of the Caribbean fiction. Joanne Johnson has a new book, The Donkey and the Racehorse. There's folklore, adventure, and sci-fi in the Island Fiction series. Don't forget that great series Boldly the Trips and Mysteriously the Trips by Roy Galt, or the three collections of short stories by Andy Campbell. Explore all of our growing body of Caribbean literature.
2. Choose a book that can end up in a fun-filled venture or community service project. The Cupcake Wars by Heather Helper makes a wonderful reading experience for girls. This book about a girl taking charge of her life, can boost girls' self confidence. After reading the book, book club members can have a bake sale for charity or a cupcake party for the book club's class. Try other books that can lead to projects.
3. Inform students about some of the new releases out there. Popular children's writer Cynthia Voigt has a new book, the Young Fredle about a mouse who learns to appreciate his home after he goes through some wild adventures. Helping children to discover a new author can help to launch a whole new journey.
4. Suggest students try one of those great series out there-The Eragon series, 39 Clues, The Lightning Thief, A Series of Unfortunate Events. All it takes is one dedicated parent or teacher to give those little boats a push towards one of these series and there would be smooth sailing for at least the next six months.
5. Introduce students to a new genre of writing-Find children's autobiographies, biographies, sci-fi, fantasy, history-books that primary school students don't usually get time to explore.
6. Read a classic to a children's book club-You would be surprised what a riveting read a classic can be once an adult leads the way. I have had great success with Lassie Come Home by Eric Knight, The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings,The Black Stallion by Walter Farley and many other classics.
7. Explore books with an important theme that will help primary students face those questions that they often won't talk about: How do I make friends when I end up on a different, unexpected shore? Will I be all right in my new school?
When the SEA gets rough books become our anchors. This is the time to push reading.