Literature Matters
Last updated: 04/10/2006 - 11:52
The MLA & Nottingham University working together to raise the profile of children's literature in teacher training.
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has appointed the United Kingdom Literature Association working with the University of Nottingham to evaluate Literature Matters, the national scheme to increase awareness of books and libraries amongst new teaching staff.
The aims of Literature Matters are three-fold. It aims to:
Arts Council
The programme is funded by Arts Council England, MLA and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). It aims to respond creatively to the growing evidence base demonstrating that many teachers are not confident in promoting and fully utilising children's books in their teaching in the classroom, the low priority given to school library provision and diminishing numbers of enthusiastic young readers.
Literature Matters is delivered by regional working groups, operating in each of the nine English regions. This is a risk taking project, running until September 2006, aimed at providing the spark for future activity. £20,000 funding has been channelled through each of the nine regional museum, library and archive agencies to enable each regional working group to develop distinct and imaginative approaches to delivering the programme.
The proposals developed are imaginative and diverse, and include working with children's writers and illustrators, literary festivals and prizes, developing champions for literature within teaching staff, working with inspirational school librarians and libraries and establishing family reading groups.
The evaluation of the scheme is ongoing, and uses the Generic Learning Outcomes developed as part of Inspiring Learning for All.
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