STUDENTS (and teachers) may be schooling remotely, but that didn’t stop them from dressing up as their favourite fictional characters during Book Week.
The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book Week was officially held last week (August 23 to August 27) with the theme Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds.
Children were encouraged to celebrate at home due to Covid restrictions.
For an extra bit of fun, when Beverford District Primary School principal Phil Cox realised students would be back in remote learning, he set up a challenge for the schools in the region to participate in.
“They read a picture story book that they liked, then all the schools shared it on their Facebook pages,” Mr Cox said.
“Book Week in such a big thing, especially for primary schools, where the schools normally dress up and do activities.
“It’s a great way to promote literacy and reading.”
The challenge went ahead last week, resulting in 15,500 views online.
Mr Cox got many other government schools in the region on board with the initiative, with pre-recorded videos published on the Beverford District Primary School page on scheduled days.
Beverford District Primary School was featured on Monday, followed by Swan Hill Specialist School (SHSS) on Tuesday, Swan Hill Primary School and Lake Boga Primary School on Wednesday, Swan Hill North Primary School and Swan Hill College on Thursday, and Woorinen District Primary School and Nyah District Primary School on Friday.
Mr Cox said he has received positive feedback from parents who watched the videos with their children each day.
“It was really nice and something to put some smiles on the faces of the children,” Mr Cox said.
Other online initiatives included Beverford students dressing up during their Webex school meeting, and having the opportunity to discuss with their classmates who they were dressed up as, the book the character was from, and why they chose that character.
Nyah District Primary School ran online fashion parades, and via Webex got their classmates to guess who they were dressed up as.
Woorinen District Primary School held their whole school book parade online via Webex.
SHSS held their book fair and parade a few weeks ago, and also ran a Where’s Wally around the school.
“The children all took part in a huge range of reading activities,” SHSS school principal Jodi Walters said.
“Parents have also been involved using social media, trying to guess the staff’s favourite picture books.”
Since 1945, the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through Book Week.
Schools and public libraries spend the week celebrating books and Australian children’s authors and illustrators, with many schools across the country holding book parades.
Other activities include creating colourful displays, developing activities, running competitions, and telling theme-related stories to highlight the importance of reading.
