Imatra is strengthening the reading skills of children and young people through the Reading Joy in Imatra! operating model.

The operating model is used in all school centers in Imatra.

Imatra's basic education celebrated the theme year of reading in the academic year 2023–2024. During the theme year, the Reading in Imatra! project was established, with the aim of developing the reading skills of children and young people in Imatra and increasing their enthusiasm for reading.

The activities did not end after the theme year, but rather a permanent operating model emerged.

– The main goal of the Reading in Imatra! operating model is to increase children and young people's literacy and reading enjoyment by ensuring that reading is a visible part of schooling at all grades, in all subjects and at all three Imatra school centers, says the literacy coordinator. Veera Härkönen.

The activities are guided by versatility, planning and continuity. The focus is on critical multi-literacy, language awareness, cultural literacy and a reading lifestyle. Imatra is part of the national Reading School network, and the activities are based on the Reading School model.

Literacy work is done together

In addition to the literacy coordinator, each school center has its own literacy team and designated literacy teachers. The work is carried out in close collaboration with teachers, school centers and partners.

– Literacy work is not only the responsibility of native language and literature teachers, but the task of every teacher. Especially in middle school, subject teachers play an important role as teachers of text skills and language in their own subject, Härkönen emphasizes.

Imatra has a literacy strategy, and literacy work is included in the local curriculum. Each school center prepares its own literacy plan each school year, and teachers determine group-specific literacy activities and goals.

Concrete actions to promote literacy

Literacy work is visible in Imatra's basic education in many concrete ways. Each school center organizes about two literacy theme days during the school year. This autumn, well-known Imatra residents were invited to the theme days, who read aloud to the students and discussed reading and literature with the young people. In addition, the school centers implement smaller literacy events.

Shared reading is also an important part of the city's activities. In Imatra, a shared reading class is organized once a month, when all basic education students read at the same time in all school centers.

Teachers are supported by the annual literacy clock, which provides current and inspiring material for teaching. Students are also encouraged to read literacy driving licenses which form a reading challenge for the entire comprehensive school. In addition, schools have reading godparent, reading grandmother and reading dog activities, reading break classes and close cooperation with the library.

– We strive to make reading diverse, inspiring and also fun for children and young people, Härkönen adds.

“Reading is a survival skill”

In the near future, the Reading Fun in Imatra! activities will continue, including author visits, a 7th graders' well-being day workshop, and various seasonally themed events. The activities will be continuously developed through feedback, assessment tools, and literacy tests.

– I am really happy that Imatra wants to invest in reading for children and young people. I think we are doing meaningful work at a time when literacy is declining and critical multi-literacy is even more important. As Aleksis Salusjärvi has stated, “reading is a survival skill,” Härkönen states.

– Previously worked as a literacy coordinator Alli Laitinen has created a strong foundation for current operations, and the work will be continued in Imatra in the long term for the benefit of children and young people, Härkönen adds.