A BLOG for a primary school book club has attracted readers from Down Under.
When teacher David Hall set up East Boldon Bookworms, the review blog for members of East Boldon Junior School’s book club, little did he know it would become such a hit.
Mr Hall, the North Lane primary’s literacy co-ordinator, said the internet blog – where the children could review which books they like – was all part of a push by the school to promote reading and especially reading for pleasure.
He said: “It was just an idea we came up with and has been a massive success.
“We have had comments from four well-known children’s authors and interest from across the world, including New Zealand and Australia.”
It has even led to the school setting up a blog link with a primary school in a remote part of New Zealand, so the children can exchange views and ideas about literacy.
The teacher, who is also known for becoming a finalist in the hit TV series Masterchef, said the 25 members of the book club were loving writing their reviews for the website and it is really encouraging them to read more. “Blogging is something young people love,” he said. “It is a modern thing but it is here to stay, so we need to embrace it.
“The website is proving a wonderful way to engage the children.
“They are able to express themselves and their own opinions, and it gives them a big self esteem boost when people read their reviews and leave comments.”
East Boldon Primary School is now looking to set up the bookworms project across the whole of the school. It is also looking into the possibility of creating class blogging, so the pupils can discuss all the work they have been doing in class.
Throughout this week the school is holding events to celebrate World Book Day, on Thursday, including the children dressing up as their favourite book characters.
l To find out more about East Boldon Bookworms, visit www.eastboldonbookworms.primaryblogger.co.uk.
Twitter: @sunderlandecho
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