Year 8 students at Covenant participate in a wide reading English programme. Bethaney Debenham, shared her experiences with Sam Glassock, English Coordinator
Q. Tell us about your wide reading programme. What does it involve?
A. Our wide reading programme involves us reading books which we, the students choose. Of course it must be approved by both parent and teacher. We read two books during a non- exam term and one book during exam terms.
Q. Which books have you read most recently for wide reading?
A. The most recent book I read was The Catcher in the Rye.
Q. Did you enjoy it? Why or Why not?
A. I must admit I found the main character, Holden Caulfield, in The Catcher in the Rye a little tedious and contradictory. Also, it was hard to relate to some of the situations as it was written a long time ago and features a lot of things that we just don't have around these days. Overall, however, I did enjoy the book.
Q.What is you assessment for this term?
A.Our assessment this term is an oral in which we have to present a speech in character. We have to assess the issues faced by the character and the changes which result in the nature of that character
Q.Which other books have you read for wide reading?
A.This year I have read Brave New World, Sophie’s World, The Catcher in the Rye (and as you know) and currently I am reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography.
Q.Can you tell us a bit about them and what you thought?
A.I enjoyed all the books I read- especially Brave New World. I found that even though it was written a long time ago it is still a valid and very real political message.
Q.Why do you think that it is beneficial to read?
A.The benefits of reading are numerous and it's really all down to opinion but in my view it widens your vocabulary, gives knowledge on topics you would not usually be taught . Most importantly, it’s a way to escape from the stresses of everyday to a completely different world.
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