That is the activity "Reading with you" through the Booktalk model implemented by Ms. Hoang Thuy Bich Thuy, former Vice Principal of Nguyen Thi Dinh Primary School (formerly in District 7, now in Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), now a specialist of the Department of Social Culture of Phu Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. After 4 years, the model is still developing very strongly, especially in the summer - children are immersed in many interesting Booktalk sessions.
No matter what province or city you are from, you are welcome to read books together.
The activity "30 minutes reading with you" was first launched on July 25, 2021 and is currently held at 7:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday evening, via the Zoom application, for all children from 5 to 11 years old.
During the program, students are introduced to their favorite books by their teachers; retell a story that moves, makes you laugh or think; listen to other students share about books, transform into characters in the story... Not only that, depending on their age, students are also guided to draw illustrations and make book covers based on their imagination...
The 30-minute Booktalk reading session with the new student took place on July 20, 2025 via Zoom, with Ms. Bich Thuy accompanying the students.
PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
Each Booktalk episode attracts a large number of children, divided into two groups: book talk for preschoolers and first and second graders; reading group for third, fourth and fifth graders.
Notably, the "borderless" reading activity is not an activity exclusive to any school or city. Accompanying the program from the beginning at the invitation of Ms. Bich Thuy, teachers Pham Thi My Nhan and Tran Nguyen Thanh Truc - teachers of Nguyen Thi Dinh Primary School - are ready to join the "team" to do communication and connect colleagues everywhere. From Nguyen Thi Dinh Primary School, the activity gradually spread to many schools in the city and many other provinces. Teachers in many other localities joined hands, participated in Booktalk, and carried out activities with books for children.
After 4 years, the 30-minute reading program with children is completely free, without advertising, without sponsorship - still growing strongly. To date, 257 Booktalk sessions have been held, the fanpage "Learning from books" has more than 1,700 members from all over the country.
Spread the spirit of happiness in reading sessions with children
PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
Exciting Booktalk sessions in summer 2025
PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
Presented at the International Symposium on Happy Schools
The Booktalk activity series "30 minutes reading with children" was introduced in the article "Happiness from the journey of reading with children" and presented at the International Symposium on Happy Schools in Hue , in April 2023 (hosted by the University of Education, Hue University).
In the article "Happiness from the journey of reading books with children", Ms. Hoang Thuy Bich Thuy, Ms. Tran Thi Quynh Nga, University of Education, Hue University; Ms. Nguyen Minh Thanh Nhan, Ly Thuong Kiet Primary School, Hue City, said that when students read books, it is the time they share happiness.
Primary school students, depending on their grade level, have begun to be equipped with the necessary vocabulary for reading. They also begin to experience each level of reading, with an expansion in topics, genres, and text volume. In that journey, in terms of both psychological and scientific bases of reading teaching, children always need companions to be able to decode interesting but ambiguous words, magical but extremely novel ideas.
Ms. Hoang Thuy Bich Thuy and her students
PHOTO: PHUONG HA
The presence of experienced readers also strengthens students' confidence in reading or, more importantly, helps establish emotional channels where empathy is evoked and sharing is encouraged. Young students also feel more comfortable if their reading voices are heard, praised, and encouraged by teachers.
Many children also want to talk about what they read in a new book they were given, a poem in a magazine, a piece of scientific information... The interaction will be more effective if the teacher has read the book, has particularly liked the character the child is talking about, or is truly surprised and excited by the scientific discovery the child has just made through reading.
Reading with children brings many happy experiences
PHOTO: NVCC
Teachers at a Booktalk training session
PHOTO: NVCC
Not only sharing the joy of reading, reading together is also a way to help discover the ability, needs, and interest in reading in each individual student. Also through this series of activities, students connect with each other, find readers with the same interests, have the same reading experience or experience the emotions from reading...
Phan Huynh Nhu Y, a student about to enter 4th grade at Nguyen Thi Dinh Primary School, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City : "Participating in Booktalk every Saturday night is very fun. I feel happy because at that time my parents are also beside me, sitting and listening to the stories with me. The teachers are very cute, there are Ms. Truc, Ms. Nhan, Ms. Ha, Ms. Hoang, who I often see in school. Their voices are nice and gentle. Every time I am called on to speak, I am extremely excited."
Nguyen Ha Vy, a student about to enter 5th grade, Nguyen Thi Dinh Primary School, Tan Thuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City: "I love going to Booktalk to listen to teachers and friends tell stories or read books! They are all meaningful stories. The most interesting feeling for me is experiencing the games in the program. In particular, after the Booktalk session, I also participated in interesting challenges. I submitted my entry and received a souvenir. Since then, I have more motivation to study and love reading. I hope to participate in introducing books on future occasions."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/co-giao-tieu-hoc-tphcm-voi-sang-kien-mo-hinh-doc-sach-khong-bien-gioi-185250731203732533.htm
Comment (0)