Reading as a teenager leads to success in school and in life. It expands vocabulary, writing skills, general knowledge, comprehension skills and often helps students understand complex ideas.  Teenagers are able to escape their own life and problems for a while and reading can often give them the skills to solve their own problems as well as opening up a world outside of their own while they learn about other countries and people from different cultures.  And, for many teenagers when they find authors they enjoy, reading is fun.

I encourage all students to read at home as much as possible – whether it be the newspaper, an online blog like this one, a novel, a biography or another non-fiction book about something that interests them.  Some students don’t know what to read because they don’t know what is out there and so don’t know what they like.

Year 9 Students have regular English homework.  During Term 1 this will consist of a list of spelling words they are given each week on Tuesday to learn for a spelling test the following Tuesday. An in-class spelling competition will be running.  As well as learning how to spell the words, they must also complete a set task from their “Word Attack” sheet each week which helps them remember how to spell the words. Students will also be tested on the meanings.   I have put the spelling words and the Word Attack sheet on this blog so that you are aware of what words your child is learning.

The second part of their homework is reading. Depending on the reading group they are in, they will either have to read a novel of their choice or will be given a class novel.   Can you please initial their reading log at least once a week to confirm that your child has been reading regularly.  Reading logs will be checked by me each Thursday when we have library.

With NAPLAN just around the corner, we will be focusing on revision during Term 1. It will be in your child’s best interests to revise again at home.  You will find information under “Revision” on this blog.