Gleniffer High pupils celebrate World Book Day

Mar 13 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A GROUP of pupils at a Paisley school booked in to turn the tables on staff by quizzing them on a hot topic.

The S1 pupils from Gleniffer High were celebrating World Book Day and carried out a marathon survey on the reading habits of staff.

Pupils also quizzed them on the books they read as children and whether or not they prefer modern technology, such as a Kindle.

Teachers and classroom assistants were among those interviewed, with contributions also coming from the school librarian, office and catering staff, janitors and cleaners.

The information they gathered was collated and shared with fellow classmates in special literacy lessons held throughout the week.

The classics proved popular, with titles such as Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, and Dickens Oliver Twist, finding their way onto the book shelves of many staff members.

More modern books recommended were Chocolat by Joanne Harris and My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult.

Books remembered fondly from childhood included Enid Blytons Famous Five and The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame.

However, there were mixed results in terms of new technology used by staff.

Although a number did read electronically, many said they preferred the feel of the hard copy book in their hands.

Bernie McAnena, principal teacher of English, said: World Book Day is the biggest event of its kind and is designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading.

It is marked in more than 100 countries throughout the world.

We wanted our pupils to be part of this celebration by carrying out this marathon survey, and hopefully it will have given them some ideas of books that they might want to read, and encourage and inspire them to read more.

Mr McAnena added: The promotion of reading is very high on the schools agenda and the involvement in World Book Day is just one of the many literary events and clubs which the school has organised.

The Pupil Support Department runs a highly successful Paired Reading Club at lunchtimes where senior pupils work with the younger ones to improve their reading skills, give them confidence and open their eyes to the enjoyment of reading.

We also run a journalism club for those with an interest in the media and a creative writing class where pupils can enter their work in competitions.

We want pupils to view reading as an enjoyable experience, which will help them in every walk of life.