Over one hundred teaching sequences of work, for years 1 to 6, covering the National Curriculum for English
Take One Book is a ground-breaking, research-informed, approach to teaching reading and English skills, used widely in schools across the UK and internationally.
100+ customisable sequences for primary schools.
A dialogic approach that promotes reading for understanding and enjoyment.
Structured to develop deeper reading for all children.
Our training partner school, Scott Wilkie in Newham, was awarded the UKLA Literacy School of the Year Award.
“Take One Book has been great to increase teacher confidence in reading. Staff get a bank of well-researched activities based in sound pedagogy to use with their students.〞How it worksAn ambitious, research-informed approach to teaching reading and English with high-quality literature
1.
Take One Book has been successfully embedded within hundreds of schools already, but each one faced unique challenges. We work with each school to assess their particular goals and needs, so as to maximise the impact Take One Book will have.
2.
Schools gain access to a research-informed flexible pedagogic framework and detailed lesson plans that develop reading comprehension through dialogue, knowledge building and language-rich experiences. Lessons, structured around a rigorously curated collection of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and picturebooks, have supporting resources included such as slide-presentations, graphic organisers, curated links and book lists. All books are available for purchase via Best Books for Schools.
3.
Over 400 schools have used the resources available through Take One Book. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with schools reporting increased teacher knowledge and confidence, pupil engagement, and, yes, improved SAT results, too.
Trial one of our exemplar units to see the benefits in your school
Wild
Recommended for year 1 over 3 weeks
Wild is a deceptively simple narrative with a patterned structure, which makes it accessible for children in year 1. However, it has the potential to introduce complex, philosophical discussion around the themes of freedom, nature, education and civilisation.
Blue John
Recommended for year 3 over 3 weeks
A classically told story about a child fashioned out of fire and ice by the Queen of Darkness, who wants the child to keep her company forever in her dark underground world. Beautifully wrought poetic language and with universal themes to discuss, this is both a challenge and a delight for year 3 readers.
Greenling
Recommended for year 5 over 3 – 4 weeks
Set in Australia in the mid-twentieth century, the atmosphere evokes the frontier stories of the American midwest. Like David Grant’s iconic painting, American Gothic, Levi Pinfold’s characters, a farmer and his wife, (the Barleycorns) are depicted against the backdrop of their outback farmhouse, inviting connections with Grant’s painting and the many meanings that have been attributed to it.
The book listLessons are structured around a rigorously curated collection of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and picturebooks
Our selection of books, from which you choose between 8 and twelve per year group, provide a broad, balanced and ambitious reading curriculum. Your school will need copies of the books that you choose (at least one per every two pupils).
We regularly add new books and materials to Take One Book. This allows you to keep book selections fresh and up-to-date as well as being able to reuse some of the books that you might have read in previous years.
Real world impactA meaningful and enjoyable experience that achieves results
Over 400 schools have benefitted from the Take One Book approach
Pupils report enjoying their reading lessons
School leaders consistently feedback on teachers increased confidence and subject knowledge
Our training partner school, Scott Wilkie in Newham, was awarded the UKLA Literacy School of the Year Award.
Used byScott Wilkie Primary School, Newham
Awarded the UKLA Literacy School of the Year Award 2024
“We just wanted to let you know about our KS2 SATs reading results. This year 93% reached expected with 60% at greater depth. Our best reading results ever. Our current Year 6 have benefitted from Take One Book for a number of years now and we feel this is reflected in the results – so we just wanted to share the news with you and say thank you.〞
Farhathafza Quayam, Headteacher
Next stepsGetting started with Take One Book
We provide all the information you need in order to adopt Take One Book in your school, including induction videos and how-to materials.
- A flexible framework underpinned by effective pedagogy.
- Dialogic lessons that develop listening and reading comprehension.
- Knowledge building lesson plans using rich language experiences.
- Ongoing support from our consultants to help you get the best results for your pupils.
- Supporting resources such as slide-presentations, graphic organisers, curated links and book lists.
Book an introductory meeting with one of our consultants to discuss your needs andhow best to implement Take One Book in your school.
