For teachers

What is the aim of the Premier’s Reading Challenge?

The aim of the Challenge is to promote a love of reading. It is not a competition, but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and read more widely. This is a challenge for all readers regardless of their current reading level.

The challenge is a proven strategy that will help young students, their parents and the community recognise that literacy and reading are essential life skills. The format has been closely modelled on well established practices in other Australian states.

Who is it for?

The Challenge is for all students in Grades 1- 6.

When does it start?

The Challenge commences on 21 April and concludes on 30 September 2008 – which equates to 20 weeks.

How does the Challenge work?

Students who accept the Challenge need to read 20 books in 20 weeks to successfully complete the Challenge. At least 15 books must be from the Challenge booklist and up to five can be of the students own choice.

Each registered student will have a reading log and an adult must sign the log after each book is completed.

Younger children can listen to books, participate in shared reading or read part or all of a book independently.

Students with special needs can access assistive materials – including books in Braille, enlarged print, audio books, assistance from reading buddies and teacher aides.

Students that read 10 books will receive a sticker and will go into the draw to win one of three iPods and audio book vouchers. Students that complete the Challenge will receive a signed certificate from the Premier.

What is the benefit for the school in becoming involved?

For every student that registers in the Premier's Reading Challenge, your school will receive $10 towards your library for the purchase of books.

What is the recognition and reward for participating students?

To encourage students to stay active participants in the Challenge and to recognise their achievement on completion, there are several recognition and reward opportunities throughout the program.

• All students who have read and logged 10 books by 30 June 2008 will go into a draw to win one of 3 iPods and audio book vouchers.
• All students who complete the Challenge by reading 20 books by 30 September 2008 will receive an official certificate from the Premier. Certificates will be sent to your school in early December for presentation at an assembly or at another appropriate time.
• Twenty students from each region will be selected to be personally awarded their certificate by the Premier at a special celebratory event.
• Students can recommend, review and discuss their favourite books online (available soon). These reviews will make great starting points for classroom discussion.
• We will contact you to find out how your students are progressing in meeting the Challenge and to seek your feedback identifying students that have embraced the challenge and would also be happy to participate in promoting the challenge through the website and media.

How can your school get involved?

Getting involved is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Register your school

   This can be done:

   • Online

   • By completing and printing the online form and returning it by fax to (03) 6231 0927 or

   • Mail to the Premier’s Reading Challenge, 91 Murray Street, HOBART TAS 7000.

2. Provide the Challenge Pack to each participating class

   The Challenge Pack contains:

   • For each student:
     Brochure
     Reading Log
     Bookmark

   • For the classroom:
     Challenge Barometer
     Challenge Booklist

3. Ensure students have the information they need to select appropriate books.

   The full Premier’s Reading Challenge Booklist is available here.

   The booklist is divided into levels and can be searched by author and title. Most of these books will be available in school or public libraries. The State Library of Tasmania holds many of the books and they can be found via the library catalogue.

   Students must read 20 books, with at least 15 books from the Challenge Booklist and up to five of their own choice.

   Once the Challenge is underway teachers will be asked to distribute a pre-paid envelope and consent form to participating students requiring parents to return it to the Department of Education. The consent form will enable students’ names to be published in newspapers, radio, television and on the Challenge website. Additional consent forms [PDF 142KB] are now available for download.

What is the role of the school coordinator during the challenge?

Your judgement in applying the rules and using the booklist to meet individual student’s needs is a critical element in ensuring both the integrity of the Challenge, and that all students can participate, be challenged and succeed.

All 20 books must be read by 30 September 2008.

School Coordinators need to submit reading results on behalf of your students via the online form (available soon) by 5.00pm on Friday 17 October 2008.

Where can I find out more?

Browse this site for further General Challenge information.

If you have any specific questions, please email state.library@education.tas.gov.au