HOW DOES INCLUSION OF HARRY POTTER, TINTIN, ASTERIX IN ICSE SYLLABUS INCULCATE BETTER READING HABITS

"If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads." -Ralph Waldo Emerson The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) and the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examinations for Class X and Class XII respectively. On 23rd November 2016 a new curriculum was released by CISCE for Preschool to Grade 8 students with the mission to incorporate "all elements of academic interests that cater to the challenging requirements of present day educational needs" writes Mr. Gerry Arathoon, Chief Executive & Secretary.

The new curriculum strives to "prepare the future generation of learners to meet the challenges of an ever advancing knowledge-based society and a dynamically changing environment." The goal is provide children with a holistic education and theappropriate attitude, tools and knowledge base to become global citizens.

One of the best ways to steer children towards this path to success is to read, read and read! Galileo saw reading as a way of having superhuman powers. Joseph Addison believed "Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body,"and James Baldwin discovered in books a way to change one's destiny. Reading forms a fundamental part of every one's progress. The updated CISCE curriculum has provided ICSE/ISC schools with a wide range of age appropriate books written by authors across genre, time and geography. A sample of the books included in the reading list are:

Mythology: The Ramayana/ Mahabharata - C. Rajagopalachari, Amar Chitra Katha

Comics: Tin Tin Series/ Asterix Series

Auto/biographies: Mahatma Gandhi, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Jawaharlal Nehru,Nelson Mandela, MalalaYousafzai

Poems: Rabindranath Tagore, A.A. Milne

Mystery:Agatha Christie Adventure: Treasure Island - RL Stevenson

Fantasy: Harry Potter Books by J.K. Rowling, The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien,Peter and Wendy (Peter Pan) - J. M. Barrie Short Stories; Malgudi Days - R.K. Narayan, The Blue Umbrella, Ruskin Bond

Children's Classics: Books by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the ChocolateFactory etc.), Little Women - Louisa M. Alcott (Abridged), Charlotte's Web - E.B. White, Black Beauty - Anna Sewell

So how does a broader range of books that includes some of the most popular reads of our time expand our children's mind and inculcate good reading habits?

Expands knowledge base

Books are the window to the world. An expansive reading list exposes children to different characters and lifestyles across the globe. For example, reading about I Am Malala fosters their understanding of another culture and strife's in other parts of the world.

Biographies can bring to light the humble beginnings of great leaders and the struggles they overcame through strategy or sheer persistence. Students will truly build a strong knowledge base in an extensive range of topics which they can incorporate into their essays, presentations, interviews and much more!

Builds vocabulary and communication skills

Reading is learning. If a child consistently reads science fiction, their vocabulary is also limited to this genre. However, by reading across numerous mediums you discover new words and meanings, including some current lingo and phrases! This prepares students for every phase of their life from academics to professional, as a strong communicator is always valued.

Encourages love for reading

No longer do students have to hide that Horrid Henry book or Asterix magazine. Instead their thoughts and insights are encouraged and discussed in the classroom. By incorporating into the curriculum books that a large part of the class is enjoying, schools will open doors to students exploring other interests. One Tin Tin fan may suggest to fellow mates how much they enjoyed the classic David Copperfield whereas another Harry Potter fan may also recommend Lord of the Rings to the grade. Additionally, books have the ability to stimulate a child's imagination, foster creativity, introduce them to role models, enhance concentration, develop logical thinking and so much more. "No two persons ever read the same book." - Edmund Wilson Every child is different, as one devours current affair and debates about the current state of the economy; another is imaging how to build a spaceship that will travel across the galaxy. A book about a little girl working her way through adolescence or another about a boy losing his first tooth can have a profound impact on a child's growth and future. However, none of these stories may have found the right reader if the curriculum did not allow students to explore a broad range of topics. Books truly have the power to transform a child's life. By incorporating some of the most popular books of not only our time, but across time, the CISCE has opened the hearts and minds of ICSE/ISC students across India.

About ReachIvy: ReachIvy is a premium education and careers advisory. Avail of our expertise across - Study Abroad, Career Guidance and Free Resources. Their study abroad consultants and career guidance coaches help aspiring students get accepted into Ivy League and other top ranked schools globally, and reach their career aspirations through personal mentoring, online services and a wealth of knowledge accumulated over years of experience. For further information, visit www.reachivy.com

ABOUT THE COMPANY

ReachIvy is a premium education and career advisory that helps aspiring students get accepted into top tier educational institutions globally. We have successful admits at MIT, Columbia, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, London School of Economics, University of Michigan, Oxford, University of Chicago amongst others.

Vibha Kagzi, Founder and CEO, ReachIvy, holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science from Carnegie Mellon University. She has also pursued courses at the University of California, Berkeley, the London School of Economics and the Indian School of Business.

Our global team of counsellors have also acquired their degrees from premier institutes and are passionate about sharing their experiences with students worldwide.