Summer Reading Challenge 2024

 The Summer Reading Challenge was initiated to encourage students to engage in reading activities during the summer holidays. Participants from Class 3 to Class 12 were invited to read books, magazines, and newspapers, maintain a reading diary, write book reviews, and share their reading experiences.

Objective: The primary objective of the summer reading challenge was to foster a culture of reading among students and to reinforce the importance of literacy skills in language earning.

Teacher Coordinators

Mrs. Rugmini Menon, TGT English

Mr. Mujib Rahiman KU, Librarian

Mrs. Sreepriya P, TGT English

Duration: The challenge spanned the duration of the summer break, providing students with ample time to explore various literary works.

Promotion: The program was promoted extensively through WhatsApp groups, leveraging the convenience and accessibility of digital communication to reach a wide audience of students. It was given as an assignment for language classes to motivate students to actively engage in reading activities. Clear instructions and guidelines were communicated to students via WhatsApp groups, outlining the expectations for participation, tracking progress, and reporting completed readings. Teachers provided ongoing support and encouragement to ensure students remained motivated throughout the duration of the challenge.

Students were encouraged to share their reading experiences, recommendations, and reflections with their peers through the Padlets.

Students were encouraged to participate actively in the challenge by selecting books from a curated reading list provided at regional level. The list included diverse genres and reading levels to cater to the varied interests and preferences of students.

Participation Details:

Class	Number of Participants
Class 3	55
Class 4	88
Class 5	82
Class 6	34
Class 7	46
Class 8	38
Class 9	52
Class 10	58
Class 11	0
Class 12	20
Total	473

Participation: A total of 473 students participated in the Summer Reading  Challenge. Class 4 had the highest number of participants with 88 students actively engaging in the challenge, followed closely by Class 5 with 82 participants

Reading Diary Entries: Students diligently maintained reading diaries, recording their reading experiences, book reviews, and other reflections throughout the challenge period. The best entries are selected and prizes will be given to the winners during the National Reading Month celebrations 2024.
All the participants will be rewarded with certificate of participation.

Reading Challenge Entry: The students were asked to submit a comprehensive entry of their favourite book read during the challenge. Several students submitted the Reading Challenge Entries with details of their favourite books, including bibliographic information, author details, reviews, character analyses, and interesting trivia. Students also collected opinions of their peers and family members about their favourite books, providing a broader perspective on the reading choices and preferences within their social circles. These entries showcased a diverse range of reading interests and preferences among participants. The entries were assessed as a separate category and the winners will be rewarded with prizes.

Best Entries

1.     Nia Muraleedharan, Class VIII A – Malory Towers Collection 4 by Enid Blyton

2.     Aman Rahman, Class VII A – Time Travelling with a Tortoise by Ross Welford

Challenges Faced

One of the significant challenges encountered was the late communication of information related to the summer reading challenge. This delayed communication may have hindered some students' ability to adequately prepare for the challenge or to make necessary arrangements to participate.

Many students were on tour or vacation during the summer break, making it difficult for them to access books or participate fully in the reading challenge. The timing of the challenge may not have been conducive to accommodating students' summer travel plans, resulting in reduced participation rates.

The availability of books, particularly in remote or less accessible areas, presented a significant challenge for students participating in the reading challenge. Some parents expressed reluctance to encourage digital reading among their children due to health concerns associated with excessive screen time.

Conclusion

The Summer Reading Challenge successfully fostered a culture of reading among students during the summer holidays. The high participation rates and enthusiastic engagement of students reflect the effectiveness of such initiatives in promoting literacy and encouraging a love for reading. Moving forward, it is decided to continue organizing similar initiatives and explore strategies to further enhance reading habits, especially among older students. It is also suggested to conduct reading workshops or book clubs to facilitate discussions and deeper engagement with reading material. It is also proposed to implement targeted outreach programs to encourage reading among older students and address any barriers to participation they may face.