New additions to the site - now available free to all primary schools nationwide - include book extracts, lesson plans, worksheets, activities and comprehension quizzes relevant to Years 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 co-developed by Leo Academy Trust and charitable trust LGfL. A range of question types are employed - such as multiple choice, matching and ordering and long and short answers - which mirror those found in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 SATs papers. This provides children with the opportunity to practise, develop and apply the skills required to answer specific questions. It also provides teachers with assessment and moderation evidence.

Questions are presented in a progressive order to support pupils of differing abilities, and text and questions can be read and answered independently by a pupil, or in discussion with the teacher. Pupils are also encouraged to read widely, reflect on what they have read, and discuss viewpoints and genres.

These additional activities that complement the video interviews inspire young people to explore new authors and genres and to develop their own creative writing. Contextualised cross-curricular opportunities ensure that learning extends beyond English, covering elements of the Science, History, Geography, Art, Music, DT and Computing Curriculum for Primary Schools.

Pupils and teachers can also access live stream author events broadcast from a variety of host schools, where authors discuss their writing, the theme or the process used to plan and develop the characters, setting and plot, before moving on to answer questions submitted by viewers. Students gain insight into how authors think.

ReadingZone Live is a development of the existing partnership between LGfL and www.Readingzone.com. It brings regular interviews and live video conferences with some of the best contemporary children’s authors to schools. 

Over 50 contemporary children’s authors have already joined the ReadingZone Live programme including Oliver Jeffers, Anthony Horowitz, Michael Morpurgo, Anthony McGowan, Joseph Coehlo, Mini Grey and Maz Evans.

Commenting on the new site, LGfL Content Manager Bob Usher said, “This newly-revised version of the ReadingZone Live platform unlocks the potential of the 1,000+ videos which have been captured over the last 10 years of live events hosted by LGfL and ReadingZone. The video clips offer unique insight into the creative process of some of the most successful and popular children’s authors at work today in the UK. The expert literacy team at Leo Academy Trust has further enhanced the effectiveness of the material with related teacher support for KS1/KS2 literacy. We hope that our young readers and writers are inspired by the energy, enthusiasm and humour shown by our authors and that it is reflected in their own creative writing.”

For free access to ReadingZone Live please visit https://www.lgfl.net/learning-resources/summary-page/readingzone-live