It's Wednesday at Lismore South Public School, in northern New South Wales, Australia. A group of eight-year-olds practise 1with four-legged friend Maggie. Sandy-haired Charlie says he likes her "because she's so calm".
Maggic, too, is eight human-years old and2 enjoys Story Dogs, which is now in 239 Australian schools. Owner, Anne Meagher, says Maggie was rather 3and good at escaping when she first adopted (领养) her. Now Maggie can stay still and patiently allows readers to 4 books on her stomach.
"It5 best when the children come face-to-face with Maggie," Anne says. "I'll6 our rug (地毯) under a tree and we always finish with Maggie doing something fun. It's a simple enough idea, reading to a 7, but somehow the children 8and find reading easier. Maggie9 listens to the children read. She doesn't10them or correct them. She's non-judgmental. But the facts show she is helping children 11. I haven't had one student in two years who hasn't improved. I think we create a space where they can feel 12to make mistakes and have a 13.
Karen Newton, the Lismore South Public School's teacher, says14 are satisfactory. "Parents say their children have15in home reading and they are more engaged with it. We've found comprehension (理解力) has improved." she says.
"Story Dogs is 16," says Janine Sigley who, with Leah Sheldon, came up with the programme, to make reading 17for children, so they become confident lifelong readers.
"Schools have not only reported improved reading but also 18self-confidence among readers who become more prepared to join classroom activities," Janine says. "Story Dogs is helping to build up kids' interest in reading, and once a child 19to read, they can do so much 20at school."
