National reading competition

Primary schools in Hafnarfjörður set their own reading objectives for each academic year until 2020, which align with the municipality's overall performance targets. The setting of these objectives is part of an effort to improve academic achievement within the municipality, thereby promoting literacy, engagement and a passion for learning across all subject areas and disciplines. A wide range of projects is being worked on, both tailored initiatives within schools and others in which multiple schools nationwide participate.  Allir læra – a national reading game – is one of the ambitious and fun projects that have been underway. The national game was first held in October and November 2014 and will begin again on 22 January.

Once again, the trumpets of reading are sounded.

Allir lesa – a national reading competition – involves simply logging your reading to keep a reading diary. A national reading competition has been called from Bóndadagur (Farmers' Day) on 22 January to Konudagur (Wives' Day) on 21 February 2016. Teams compete, and the time they spend reading is measured. At the end, the winning teams are honoured with certificates and prizes. All types of books containing fiction and non-fiction are eligible, but newspapers and magazines do not count. It does not matter how the books are read, or whether the reader is using a printed book, an e-book or an audiobook. Everyone Reads – a national reading competition was held for the first time in October and November 2014, concluding on the Day of the Icelandic Language. Between national competitions, it is ideal to use the website as a reading diary and thus take part in the reading community all year round.

Who is the game for?

Anyone can form a team, for example at work, in the book club, with a group of friends or with their family. Parents who read to their young children are especially encouraged to form a team with their children and log their reading. The game works by teams being created and registered on the website. Each team chooses a team leader who manages the team and can either log the team's reading or have each member keep their own reading log. The teams that spend the most time reading are the winners. 

More books for the school libraries

In a literacy project like this, it is important that all the links in the chain fit together well. The Education Committee approved at its meeting this week to put forward a proposal to the town council to increase the budget for book purchases in the town's schools and for craft materials by 50%, as well as to provide 700,000 krónur for a cinemaand Book Festival for the children, which takes place this February. This is being done specifically to further support the literacy project currently underway in the schools of the City of Hafnarfjörður. The proposal will be presented to the town council at a meeting next week.