Nottingham, UNESCO City of Literature is thrilled to announce the launch of a new teaching resource for Nottingham schools based around the award-winning Dawn of the Unread project.
The resource was put together to inspire reading across Nottingham, a city that currently faces immense challenges regarding literacy. Since its inception, the Dawn of the Unread project has been dedicated to using innovative methods to address this challenge, with an interactive, digital graphic novel platform used to tell Nottingham-focussed stories with the narrative conceit that, incensed by the closures of libraries and low literacy in 21st-century Britain, the city’s famous historical literary figures rise from the grave to wreak revenge. It would go onto win the Excellence in Teaching Award at the Guardian University Awards.
Following the publication of the book in physical form in 2016, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has worked closely with schools to put together a range of teaching materials to support the book in Nottingham’s schools. These materials follow the book’s main themes, and employ the same mix of innovativeness, fun and fascination to give reading an extra dimension to even the most reluctant readers.
The materials form part of a broader project to use Dawn of the Unread across schools, a project that will incorporate writers visiting schools; walking tours; library events; and encouragement for readers to write and draw their own stories. Breaking down the barriers to reading is key: showing that words are both fun and not confined to the page is a particular focus of the project.
Sandeep Mahal, Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature said “Dawn of the Unread showcases so much that is brilliant about Nottingham, and really shows off why we are a world-class city when it comes to literature. It is important that we inspire the next generation of readers and writers, and this is ideal to do just that”
Rebecca Goldsmith, Project Leader of Dawn of the Unread said: “It is fantastic to be working with the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature team at a really exciting time for the city, and there are so many amazing organisations who have already played a part in making Dawn of the Unread a reality, both digitally and in print. I am really looking forward to exploring how we can work together to make the resource engaging and useful for schools, as well as working closely with the Creative Quarter to help strengthen links between arts, culture and education partners”.
The resources can be found here.