Get into Character

Taught a low ability (hate that term - does the students no favours) year 9 English group today. We've been reading Stone Cold for what seems like forever and the students are keen to finish the book. Problem is, most of them are self-conscious when reading aloud to the whole group, stumbling over words and often giving up - and this slows the whole process down.

Hmmmm... what to do? Then I had a brainwave - ask the students to read the story in thick Scottish accents. I demonstrated what I meant by reading a paragraph in my own best Glaswegian, asked for a volunteer to do the same, and was beseiged by eager readers.

All of a sudden, the classroom was transformed into a hub of confident readers. They ALL read far faster than usual (even through the giggles) and far less mistakes were made. It seems that reading in character lessened the nerves, the students were no longer themselves, but transported into the pages of the book. And they loved every minute.

Best thing was, for the rest of the day, every time I passed one of the students in the corridor, they greeted me with a cheery Scottish "A'right Miss? How zit goan?"

Next week: Welsh. I'd better go practice.