A visit from the Gruffalo - or in German: der Grüffelo!
The purpose of this CAS activity is to celebrate World Reading Day on March 5th, to recognise the importance of books and the skill of reading throughout the world, for which most of us take for granted. It allowed me to plan and arrange a date to meet with the teachers of whose class I will be reading out a book to in my foreign languages such as French and German.
 |
| COSPLAY! The Phantom of the Opera - Queen of Hearts - Minho from the Maze Runner Daisy from The Great Gatsby - Hermione from Harry Potter - Heidi |
Activity Planning
This activity was simple yet very achievable. The chances of a successful experience was high as long as I remained motivated throughout the activity. It was a challenge in several ways for me: (1), to read aloud to a large group of young students in my school (2), to read confidently and amusingly in my learned foreign languages and (3) to involve them in an interesting questioning session after the book reading. I hope I was able to successfully show them the importance of reading books for knowledge as well as entertainment!
Ms Mukherjee, a teacher in our school, had first organised a list a e-mails of several class teachers to whom my classmates and myself were to present ourselves to. Then it was up to me to e-mail them and express my interest in this CAS activity by providing my skills and showing them the benefits of the project for the class and myself. Finally I had selected a book together with the teacher of the class, Ms Reich, suitable for the age group and their amusement. She also offered me some tips as to how I could best engage the children in the story and with practice, she assured me success of the reading!
Reflection
By the end of this CAS activity I have accomplished the following Learning Outcomes:
1. Improved my skills such as meeting with new people and especially interacting with younger students of my school.
2. Undertaken a new challenge to read a children’s story book to a class out-loud in a foreign language that I have acquired in my academic years.
3. Planned and arranged shifts suitable for meetings with the class teachers and the actual narration to the class on World Reading Day.
4. Worked co-operatively with the teachers to make this a success for the children.
5. Showed perseverance as I practiced reading the book out-loud before the actual event.
6. Engaged with the importance reading on World Reading Day.
7. Reflected on my ethical implications on my actions to promote and support World Reading Day.
8. I have developed my confidence in reading excitingly out-loud in a foreign language and communicating with the students!
Fortunately, with this CAS activity, I had encountered only minor difficulties and it was overall an absolute success and pleasure to have done this! The children were very enthusiastic as soon as I presented the book. I even had to ask them kindly not to spill the details of the book for anyone who is unfamiliar with the story! Luckily, they cooperated wonderfully and payed me their full attention as I read in clear intonations. Practicing beforehand several times at home with myself, with my father as well as a friend certainly helped boost my confidence in narrating the story. When Word Reading Day had arrived, I had practically memorised the story by heart!
 |
| Der Grüffelo! |
It felt really wonderful knowing I was able to help make the children’s experience of WRD amusing and fun. I loved interacting with them afterwards with a short Q&A session where I asked simple questions to encourage them to think about what they have learned from the story. I personally enjoy reading as it is one of my hobbies and with that said, I do see the importance of celebrating World Reading Day in school as well as showing appreciation to authors and the presence of books - for without them we would not be inspired by the knowledge or imagination they carry.
 |
| Introduction |
 |
| Reading out loud! |
 |
| Q&A time! |
Perhaps for next year’s celebration, the older students of the school could also enjoy the festivity by simply coming to school with a good book each. No tables, no chairs, just bean bags and hot chocolate for everyone to enjoy! This would be the perfect reading day! - Another CAS idea I believe?
Evita ☺
