Are you looking for a different way to encourage your pupils to read for pleasure? Would you like a way to ensure pupils engage with what they read?
The Ancient World Reading Challenge provides a structured and competitive approach to reading for pupils in KS2 - KS5. Below, you will see 12 badges. In order to earn a badge, pupils must read a book which somehow correlates to this number. For example, to earn Badge One a pupil could read a story about the cyclops and his one eye; to earn Badge Two they could read a story about the famous twins Romulus and Remus etc.
Clicking on each badge will take you to a page with ideas for each of these numbers, and Book suggestions for KS2 - KS5.
To participate in the Challenge, pupils must do the following:
In order to complete the Challenge, pupils must earn all 12 badges. This could be done by an individual, or as part of a class/ group.
Participating schools will be sent certificates for each of their pupils, and will be able to claim free books for their pupils and schools thanks to our partnership with the Birmingham Hub of the National Literacy Trust!
For further details, see the FAQ at the bottom of the page.
Please reach us at bham.classicsforall@contacts.bham.ac.uk if you cannot find an answer to your question
There are a couple of reasons for this decision.
First, 12 is an important number in Greek and Roman mythology - the 12 Olympian Gods! The Twelve Labours of Heracles!
Secondly, we needed a number which would be simultaneously challenging and achievable for pupils.
No, pupils can approach the challenge in any order. If a pupil is participating (e.g. reading one book), then they can choose any badge number.
Once a book has been read and a creative response has been completed, please either keep hold of it, or take a picture. Ideally, if pupils are attempting to complete the challenge, you can send all 12 photos in at the same time. If you think this might be difficult to keep track of, you can send over photos as you go along.
Anybody! The challenge is open to state schools and children who are home educated. We have provided examples of books for students in KS2 - KS5.
Nothing, it is completely free.
Yes, if they would like. This could be done as a class project, or as part of a classics club. Since this is meant to encourage pupils to read, it would be nice if every child taking part in the challenge completed at least 2-3 books.
A few reasons - to make sure that the pupils have read the books, to ensure that they understood what it was about, and also to see if they're able to identify how the story they have read relates to the Badge number. Also, it is a way for them to engage with and think critically about what they have read.
No, absolutely not. I have provided suggestions but pupils are very welcome to read something else. They simply have to be able to explain how it relates to the number/ the ancient world.
No, each badge has to correlate to a different book. You could read books related to the same topic however. For example, you could read Homer's Odyssey and the Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. Or a pupil could read three different books in the Percy Jackson series.
No, if you have a pupil who has an advanced reading level and would like to try more challenging books, that is fine. Alternatively, you may have a student who struggles with their reading, and would do better with a slightly younger reading level.
As long as the teacher (and/ or parents) feels the book is appropriate for the pupil, that is fine.
No, this is meant to encourage a love of reading, so pupils can choose what they like. They can read fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, poems, plays etc.. As long as they are suitable and a reasonable level of difficulty/ length, then pupils can read whatever they like.
Primarily, we mean books relating to Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, the Near East, and Roman Britain.
These could be books set in antiquity, or some sort of retelling/ adaptation (e.g. the Percy Jackson series). If students would like to read books about a different ancient civilisation, they could do this for one badges, but please get in contact to check.
We would recommend starting it at the beginning of the academic year, but it is up to you and your pupils! You could always tell students about it in the summer term and get them to work towards it over their holidays...
There isn't one. Pupils can take as long as they want/ need to complete the challenge. We would recommend trying to do it within one academic year.