C.A.P.E.R. stands for children and parents enjoy reading.

It is an early intervention reading strategy implemented from the second term in Junior Infants to the end of Second class.

The aims of the caper programme are

1. To promote the reading levels of children in the Junior classes
2. To increase awareness of the value of parents contribution to the learning process
3. To strengthen links between home and school
4. To foster positive attitudes to reading
5. To extend parent and teacher knowledge of good children’s books
6. To create a love of reading and books.

 

How it is introduced

Caper is first introduced to the Junior Infant class in January. A meeting of approximately 20mins.is arranged for parents to introduce them to the scheme. The meeting is usually given by the learning support teacher and outlines the following

• How it is organised at school
• How to do it at home
• The Do’s and Don’ts

 

The benefits

At the meeting samples of books and the reading record are displayed. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and should they have further concerns to contact the learning support or class teacher.

In 2004 the B.O.M. sanctioned funds for the purchase of books and the establishment of the caper system. A sum of two thousand euro was spent and over a thousand books bought and covered with contact. Books were collected and covered as follows:

Red – Junior.Infants

Blue – Senior Infants

Purple – First Class

Green – Second Class

A record is kept of who has which book. It is normal practice not to give out a book until the previous book has been returned. As books are changed daily this rarely ever occurs and books are rarely lost. Parents are asked to complete the reading record each time a book is read. They record the date, name of book and a comment. The teacher does not look at the comments each day but does keep a regular check.