BY RENAE DIXON

Observer staff reporter

dixonr@jamaicaobserver.com

IT was both about fun and learning at Breadnut Hill Primary when the school hosted a day dubbed Lit-A-Blaze, which allowed students to engage in activities aimed at boosting literacy level and encourage reading.

Students got to showcase their abilities in spelling, reading and drama as they participated in a number of competitions throughout the day.

Vice-Principal Sharon Minnott said the school decided to host the competition to promote literacy among the students because of the mantra that ‘reading maketh a full man’.

“We want to engage our students in exciting activities which will sharpen their literacy skills,” she told the Jamaica Observer North East.

She said the students also had their vocabulary expanded with the spelling competitions .

She said the children who participated in the competitions had a spell-off in the individual classes, and the students who emerged on top competed against each other at the Lit-A-Blaze competition. There was also reading fluency where students were given materials to read on the spot. The students also engaged in reading comprehension competitions.

Minnott said in a bid to ensure that girls did not outshine the boys, as is customary, there were separate categories for the boys. She explained that usually the girls participate in the competitions and the boys do not; however, with a different competition for the boys, they were motivated to participate.

The competition was done at that grade level with winners selected for each grade.

The competition, Minnott said, is an effort to reach a rate of 100 per cent literacy at the school. A literacy coach assigned by the Ministry of Education was also instrumental in the competition.

She said over the years the annual competition has reaped great rewards for the school with children increasing their vocabulary and going on to do well in their examinations.

Additionally, she explained that it also helps students and parents to work together since much of the preparations for the competitions are done at home. Children will practice reading and spelling with their parents as they all look forward to the big day when they will be rewarded for their hard work.

“It’s a parent effort with the child,” Minnott explained.

Those attending were also treated to reader’s theatre where students bring to life sections of books in dramatic pieces.

Lit-A-Blaze was also a part of the school’s child month celebrations.