FHC Canon of Literature
We know how powerful books are for opening children’s eyes to the world around them. The right books can help children to build their imagination, to explore their sense of self and compassion for others.
Reading regularly also helps children to connect with literature as an adventure into a world they do not inhabit day to day. It lets them see lives that are different to their own, explore concepts and experiences that they may never have and most importantly helps them to understand that there is a whole world out there full of interest and difference and that is their to explore.
Our Canon of Literature targets a range of texts in every yeargroup from Nursery- Yr6 that we feel children will benefit from experiencing throughout their journey. Whether this is a shared story in class, a free reader or dramatisation of a story, children will be led through the stories and encouraged to think about and reflect on their themes.
This approach helps children to build a store of ideas and vocabulary that they would perhaps not hear in everyday life. In turn this supports their imaginative writing- which is a fabulous side effect. Mostly we just want them to know that books are a doorway into another world and a special opportunity to see the world through another’s eyes.
Our Canon of Literature is a work in progress, that is reviewed annually. My thanks to the children, staff, parent working groups and Governors who have contributed at each stage. Our aim is to continue to develop the Canon as our context changes year on year to ensure it is as diverse and representative as it can be.
