Reading is a cornerstone of learning, and fostering a love for books is key to developing lifelong learners. For upper primary classrooms, Epic offers a dynamic, engaging platform to support literacy development. With its vast library and intuitive features, Epic can transform how students approach reading. I have often found it challenging to motivate and encourage all children in senior classes to read – often school libraries can be exhausted in terms of books children find interesting or engaging. Epic! is a wonderful tool to encourage children to read deeper in their areas of interest.
A Library Without Limits
Epic provides access to thousands of books, audiobooks, and videos, covering a wide range of genres and subjects. This diversity ensures there’s something for every student, whether they’re captivated by adventure stories, fascinated by historical figures, or eager to dive into non-fiction topics like science or geography. This variety is invaluable for upper primary students, who are beginning to explore their reading preferences. I find the children in our school love the biographical books on sporting stars from across the globe. Often, our school libraries can focus primarily on fiction titles – Epic offers a great opportunity to expose children to fact texts loos.
Differentiated Learning Opportunities
One of Epic’s standout features is its ability to cater to diverse reading levels. Teachers can assign books suited to individual students, supporting those who need extra help while challenging advanced readers. Separate titles can be assigned to different groups in your class. Additionally, features like read-to-me and audiobooks enable struggling readers or students with special educational needs to engage with content they might otherwise find inaccessible.
Curriculum Integration
Epic’s rich library can be aligned with many curricular areas. For example, students can access books on Irish history or cultural stories for SESE or explore narratives that enhance their understanding of SPHE themes like empathy and friendship. The platform also supports critical thinking by encouraging students to engage with various text types and genres. The inclusion of community quizzes (and the ability to create your own) also allows you to monitor children’s understanding.
Incorporating Epic into senior primary classes not only enriches literacy instruction but also nurtures curiosity and a love for reading, empowering students for a lifetime of learning. This very much ties in with the key competencies that are outlined in the PCF and the key aims of the PLC.