I love to read
To focus on the value and uniqueness of reading and the joy and excitement that is contained in books.
by Kate Fleming
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To focus on the value and uniqueness of reading and the joy and excitement that is contained in books.
Note: You may like to use this assembly in conjunction with the one on the Bible, also in this month's selection.
Preparation and materials
- Ask each child in school to choose his or her favourite book and bring it to the assembly. Ask them to select a short passage from the book which is the most exciting, or dramatic, or dangerous, or humorous, or sad, or mysterious, or scary ... the best bit of the book, that they would want to share with a friend.
- In a development of this 'buddy reading', Year 6, for instance, could select for and read to Reception, and Year 5 could do the same for Year 1.
- You will also need an old book, and a new book.
Assembly
- Introduce the books you have brought in by saying something like: Books are magic. Reading is special. This is a very old book, which people used to read to themselves, and to others, a long time ago - and still read. This is a brand new book, which you are reading, or listening to, today. Whether the book is old or new, when you open it and read that first line, a whole new and exciting world unfolds.
(Read from old book) Once upon a time, long, long ago in a faraway land, it was wintertime and the snow lay thickly on the ground ... The story begins to live in your head, in your thoughts, and your imagination. You picture what is happening. Where is it happening? In deep snow? In sweltering jungle? Up the sheer side of a mountain? Inside a castle? Outside in the street? Who are the characters? What are they? Humans? Animals? Aliens? Monsters? Spirits? What happens? What is it about? Shipwreck? Fighting a battle? Losing a ball? Hanging from a cliff edge? Discovering an unknown species?
And then the story ends. (Read from new book) The sun slid down behind the hills and darkness enveloped the garden. The monster had gone and would never come back to frighten them again so they all lived happily ever after.
So now it's your turn to share a part of your favourite book with your friend. Decide who is going to read first, and off you go. - After the reading time, ask a few children about what they have heard and what they thought of the book. Will they go on to read the whole thing?
- Introduce this poem, which sums up some of the wonderful things about reading and books:
I love to read - it's such a special thing to do.
Books are worlds of magic and fun, when we have the key
To unlock all we want to know about everything
New and wondrous, old, enchanting and fantastic.
I love to read - it's such a special thing to do.
There are books about shipwrecks, dragons and distant lands,
Funny people, sad people, naughty and bad people,
Grim castles with drawbridges, swish high apartments.
I love to read - it's such a special thing to do.
Find out about motorbikes, tap dancing and cricket,
Recipes for pancakes tossed with lemon and sugar,
Fashion, make-up, CDs and games; international news.
I love to read - it's such a special thing to do.
The story works in your head. You can see the pictures
In your mind, you can know the people, and solve the plot.
You and the author join hand in hand to make it live.
I love to read - it's such a special thing to do.
- Suggest that, when they get back to the classroom, they could write about their favourite book or start to read the book they were introduced to in assembly.
Time for reflection
Dear God,
Thank you for the precious gift of reading
and the wonderful books waiting for us to pick up and read.
Thank you that whoever we are, whatever our interests,
there are books that are just right for us.
Amen.
Song/music
'Every word comes alive' (Come and Praise, 72)
Curriculum links
English: Suitable for use during 'Book Week'.
