In the era of digital technology, more effort is key to keeping our children (and ourselves) reading. It is important because it develops imagination and creativity, provides knowledge about the world, and promotes better communication and vocabulary. One could go on indefinitely about the benefits of reading, and yet we are in an era of divide between the immediacy of digital screens/social media in contrast with written words. Reading must take a priority in education and children provided with multiple opportunities to read.
At the Junior School of the International School of Florence, teachers prepare students to welcome their time with books, and library time is an important part of the daily routine. Stories are animated and characters are brought to life. Books can be calming, entertaining or instructive, and children’s reactions to certain books help educators understand their students’ identities. Childhood books often address common issues such as processing anger, friendship, fears, etc. As children develop, these themes shift, but underlying and age-appropriate concepts are repeated. Children often revel in the antics of a villain, while developing notions about right and wrong as they process the plot of a story. Classic books such as Alice in Wonderland are remembered for a lifetime: good overcoming evil and Alice’s moral compass providing an example to her reading audience.
In High School, another steep developmental curve occurs, with more complex concepts appropriate for older minds and suggested reads becoming more challenging. Themes may grapple with ethics, values and the meaning of life. Some books and particular literary characters may become old friends as they deliver lessons about life.
ISF is intent on promoting and facilitating student reading, and this year has seen a flurry of activity in the library. Librarian Kim Beeman has poured her energy into revitalizing the library and making it more appealing to students. Library classes are much more active and each grade is provided with a Core Collection of books to refer to. This is a diverse selection of goodies that are particularly impactful at a certain age. The range allows students to see that reading really is for everyone.
In honour of World Book Day on March 6, ISF Upper School has planned Book Week from March 3 to 7. Leading up to this is a new school initiative called #ISFReads, promoted by the English Department. Spearheaded by English teacher Paul Mathews, the project provides reading challenge opportunities for students and sheds light on the reading interests and habits of the teaching staff. This inclusive community engagement makes the initiative more powerful and teachers become mentors in sharing their literary passions.
Ph. David Glauso
Ph. David Glauso
Ph. David Glauso
To further solidify the effort toward community reading, there is a Parent Book Club at the Junior School with Principal Shane Nathan, which reads books that accompany the journey of international education. Parents gather with him to discuss relevant themes and exchange ideas about school and parenting. Next month’s choice, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, is a stark and urgent warning about the effects of cell phone use on child development. Mr. Nathan describes how he chose this book to address a global problem and “to stimulate genuine conversation about technology and how it is used by students and adults alike”.
These are some of the ways ISF concentrates its efforts to celebrate literature for all ages. As a follow-up to this article look out for ISF student writing in The Florentine. This two-step process is important because it provides the Florence community with the opportunity to hear about ISF’s commitment to high-quality education and also celebrates the learning outcomes of ISF students as they progress in their learning. Teachers have introduced genres such as dystopian, horror, poetry, etc. and students are responding to the challenge of trying it themselves. Stay tuned for their voices!
