RENAISSANCE ACCELERATED READER

All students in Year 7 and Year 8  participate in the Renaissance Accelerated Reader program.  AR is a computer program that helps us to manage and monitor student’s independent reading practice.  Students take a Star Reading test which determines their reading range. Students then pick a book at their own level and read it at their own pace. When finished, they take a short quiz on the computer. Passing the quiz is an indication that they understood what was read.  AR gives students, teachers, and librarians feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help students set goals and direct ongoing reading practice. The successful completion of book quizzes means more word count and AR Points for the students.

TEACHERS' FAVOURITE BOOKS

Mrs A Bradshaw   Computer Science  

What is your favourite book? 

Brave New World                       

What do you like about it? 

I like that it is set in a dystopian future

Would you recommend the book?

I would recommend for older pupils.

What are the main themes of the book?

The main theme is about life in the future.

Mrs A Kinsella         English

What is your favourite book? 

Vanity Fair by William Thackeray

What do you like about it? 

I enjoy the satire and, aside from the appalling way Becky treats her husband and son I enjoy the way Thackeray uses her as a criticism of his society and the inequality that existed...and still does.

Would you recommend the book?

Absolutely - it's a hefty tome, but it is humorous, historically interesting - covering a more domestic aspect of the Napoleonic Wars and the start of a troublesome century.

What are the main themes of the book?

Superficial nature of society, loyalty and betrayal, greed, ambition, romance.

Mr R Hill     Creative Arts

What is your favourite book?                       

Purity and Danger by Mary Douglas     

What do you like about it? 

Brilliantly provocative and I have read it numerous times throughout my career

Would you recommend the book?

Yes

What are the main themes of the book?

An analysis of concepts of pollution and taboo. The line of inquiry in Purity and Danger traces the words and meaning of dirt in different contexts. What is regarded as dirt in a given society is any matter considered out of place.

Mrs L Harratt-Jones   Art and Design Technology

What is your favourite book? 

The Gekko's Foot 

What do you like about it? 

It explains how really innovative products have been developed from the inspirations found in nature.

Would you recommend the book?

Yes

What are the main themes of the book?

Development of innovative products derived from nature.

Ms C Adams            MFL

What is your favourite book? 

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Attwood.  

What do you like about it? 

I love the fact that it is set in an imaginary dystopian world that is not dissimilar to our own and that you could very easily imagine being a reality.

 Would you recommend the book?

I would definitely recommend the book - probably only to those aged 15+ due to some adult themes.

What are the main themes of the book?

Themes: misogyny/the patriarchy, religious fundamentalism, survival and the strength of the human spirit.

Mr O'Shea        History

What is your favourite book? 

Dear Leader by Jang Jin-Sung

What do you like about it? 

Jang Jin-Sung works for Section 5 (Literature), Division 19 (Poetry) of the United Front Department of the DPRK (North Korea). His duty is to conduct psychological warfare against the South by posing as a South Korean artist promoting the values of the DPRK. In this high ranking position in Pyongyang, Jang Jin-Sung has access to banned material from the South to better inform his propaganda. He goes on the run however when he lends this material to a friend - an act punishable by death - and the authorities find out. This true story is an account of Jin-Sung and his friend escaping North Korea, and the relationships they built  in order to escape successfully - I particularly enjoyed the relationship he made in ShenYang.

Would you recommend the book?

This is a must read book for all ages. Even writing this makes me want to reread it.

What are the main themes of the book?

Courage and Perseverance, History, Politics

Mr V Hobbs       Computer Science

What is your favourite book?                      

At the moment - Dissolution by CJ Sansom   

What do you like about it? 

It is the first in a series of books which means I have lots more to go.

It is set in the time of Henry VIII and is centred around one character who is the main investigator  

Would you recommend the book?

I would recommend this book as it was recommended to me.

What are the main themes of the book?

Crime and investigation.

Mrs Whitington    Science

What is your favourite book? 

The Bible

What do you like about it? 

It gives me comfort when I am upset, it gives hope for the future, it tells us how to live life well and it fills us with joy.

To whom would you recommend this book?

Everyone in the world.

What are the main themes of the book?

God loves you.