Reading strengthens language skills, concentration and self-confidence, especially when it is done with enjoyment. Under the auspices of the Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen e.V. Schweinfurt (SkF), the lunchtime supervision programme at Körner Primary School implemented a special support project in the 2024/25 school year: the "Reading Pass". It was initiated and supervised with great commitment by Julia Hense, head of the lunchtime supervision programme. The aim of the project was to make reading more accessible to children in a playful and enthusiastic way.
Continuous and realistic language support was particularly relevant at Körnerschule, which is attended by numerous children with a migrant background. The "reading pass" accompanied the children throughout the school year as a visible sign of their personal development. The pupils regularly took part in guided reading sessions, which focused on age-appropriate, appealing reading material. With a motivational approach, reading was successfully integrated into the everyday routine of lunchtime supervision.
During the last few weeks of school, the children also worked in groups within their classes to develop short book presentations, which they delivered with great creativity, enthusiasm and pride – further proof of their growing reading skills and increased self-confidence. The project was divided into three stages. At the end of each stage, the entries in the reading pass were evaluated and the three children with the most entries were awarded prizes.
The final ceremony took place during the last week of school: the last prizes and collected donations were presented in recognition of consistent participation and personal progress. The joy was palpable, not only among the children, but also among the teaching team: "The children's beaming eyes were the best proof that the effort had been worthwhile." The "Reading Pass" project impressively demonstrates how heart, structure and creative ideas can lead to sustainable learning success, even (and especially) in an environment characterised by linguistic diversity.
