Fiction Express

Online reading platform: deeply engaging experience of co-creation between pupils and authors

Product Type: Software

Age Range: 5-77-11

Exam Boards: AQACCEACIEEdExcelICAAEOCR

Platform: PCMacTabletMobileInternet-based

Environment: ClassroomHome

INTRODUCTION

Fiction Express is an award-winning literacy resource (Winner Bett Awards 2020, Winner Education Resources Awards 2019, 5* Winner Teach Primary Awards – “best English literacy resource”), which offers a unique reading experience to primary school pupils. It has been designed to improve poor reading habits by getting children excited about reading through the power of engagement.

Fiction Express stories are published in weekly instalments. Each week, pupils read the chapter and at the end they are rewarded with the option to vote to decide what happens next.

The author then writes the next chapter in real time. Pupils can also interact on the online book forum with the author and other readers from around the world to voice their opinions and build the story together. In addition, readers have free access to over 125 already finished books.

INNOVATIVE NATURE OF FICTION EXPRESS

Fiction Express is turning the traditional linear reading process into a deeply engaging experience of co-creation between pupils and authors (“co-creative reading”). It offers not just a library of eBooks and creative reading exercises, including comprehension and response activities, but allows pupils to play an active role in the writing-reading process, through real-time feedback using votes and online conversations with the author.

As a result, FE revolutionises the culture of reading in primary schools:

From passive and linear reading to participative and interactive reading.
From story-centred to student-centred.
From receptive reading to creative reading.
From obligation to predisposition.
From learning to read to learning to understand.
From reading comprehension to academic success.

FICTION EXPRESS METHODOLOGY

The 6-step Fiction Express methodology has been developed with the goal of increasing children’s reading engagement – both in school and at home – by placing them in the centre of the creative writing process and reading experience (for further details: see supplementary information): 1. READ the chapter, 2. VOTE on the plot, 3. TALK to the author, 4. ANSWER the quiz, 5. ENJOY the activities, 6. MEASURE the impact.

For more information please refer to the attached brochure.

Download information (2.3 MB PDF)

Costs: £10 per pupil

SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK SCHOOLS DURING COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURES

Due to UK school closures, in line with its social mission of bringing reading and learning to all children, Fiction Express has decided to allow free access to the platform for affected schools, until end of the school year 2019/20. Schools can request access, which will give their students the opportunity to read new books and work on various activities from home.

Schools can register for free via the website: https://en.fictionexpress.com/coronavirus Once activated, student logins can be generated giving them access to hundreds of books and thousands of activities online (and as PDFs). A tracking and evaluating system for the results allows teachers to monitor what their students are reading and achieving from a distance.

Trial Options: 2 months

Normally we offer a free trial of two months which allows teachers and pupils to enjoy a complete Fiction Express book (publication during 5 weeks).

SPECIAL OFFER DURING COVID-19 SCHOOL CLOSURES: free access for all UK schools until end of the school year 2019/20. Schools can register for free via the website: https://en.fictionexpress.com/coronavirus.

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FAQs

QHow does it work?: AThe Fiction Express methodology is comprised of 6 steps: (1) READ the chapter – New chapters of 3 books (each at a different level) are released weekly. Fiction Express is accessible for dyslexic readers and includes a glossary of 40 – 80 words per chapter. (2) VOTE on the plot – Readers and authors create together. Thousands of pupils vote every week to decide what happens next and participate individually or as a whole class. (3) ANSWER the quiz – Each chapter includes an online reading quiz. Pupils see their results immediately which enhances learning and encourages them to read more. (4) TALK. Through the book forum, pupils have live conversations with the authors and other pupils worldwide. They can share ideas, opinions and thoughts about the book. (5) ENJOY the activities – Every chapter includes a set of flexible and useful resources that give teachers the option to align Fiction Express with any school focus or scheme of work. (6) MEASURE the impact – Progress is shown on the dashboard highlighting the performance at individual or class level: readings, votes, quiz results and forum interactions.
QHow does Fiction Express motivate pupils to read?: AOur stories are published weekly. Pupils read the chapter and at the end they are rewarded with the option to vote to decide what happens next. The author then writes it in real time. They can also interact on the online book forum with other pupils worldwide and build the story together. This unique and innovative method motivates children to read for pleasure.
QWhat makes Fiction Express different from other online reading platforms?: AThere are many other online reading products available. Fiction Express is different due to its unique method of involving pupils in the creation of a book through the interaction with the author.
QWhich curricula is Fiction Express compatible with and which levels does it cover?: AFiction Express is used as a reading resource in native English classrooms, and as an ELT resource across the world. We are currently aligned with the following teaching curricula: (1) National Curriculum (NC) in England, (2) Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) in Scotland, (3) Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) in Wales, (4) ATOS levels 2.5 – 6.8, (5) English as a second language CEFR levels A1 – C1 (Common European Framework of Reference)
QHow many books are available?: AWe publish 18 new books per year. In September, November, January, March, April and June, 3 new books spanning the 3 different reading levels are created. Each year, these books add to the Fiction Express Library of 125+ books previously written with the Fiction Express methodology.
QWhat is the recommended reading time per chapter?: AReading times vary depending on the level (the length of the chapter and the student’s reading level) however on average, chapters take less than 30 minutes to read.
QDo the pupils have access to all books, or just the teachers?: APupils have access to all books in the Fiction Express Library (125+ books written with the Fiction Express methodology). This encourages reading for pleasure as pupils can explore various titles and themes that interest them. All Fiction Express books are appropriate for all Key Stage 2 school ages in native English schools, therefore if younger or lower level readers would like to explore and try a higher level they have the freedom to do so.
QWill Fiction Express create more work for me as a teacher?: ANo, Fiction Express saves work for teachers. Every chapter includes a set of flexible and useful resources that give teachers the option to align Fiction Express with any school focus or scheme of work. Key areas are highlighted in terms of learning goals and curriculum links, enabling teachers to build Fiction Express into their lesson planning for each term: (1) Read – Comprehension questions, guided reading notes and glossary, (2) Write – Creative writing plus vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation worksheets, (3) Talk – Discussion points and open discussion activities, (4) Explore – Extension ideas to increase learning potential. Pupils' progress is shown on the dashboard highlighting the performance at individual or class level: readings, votes, quiz results and forum interactions.
QHow can I implement Fiction Express into my classroom?: A(1) Whole-class, whole-book reading – Reading comprehension questions, activities for class discussions and resources for small group talk and individual thinking. (2) Guided reading – 3 levels to meet all pupils’ needs, questions and worksheets, inspire and spotlight words to facilitate vocabulary learning. (3) Reading for pleasure – weekly release of new chapters, shared discussion of voting options, compatible on any mobile device, gamified reading experience. (4) English Language Training (ELT) – 3 progressive reading levels (A1-C1), real English stories (not adapted), glossary for vocabulary learning, reading comprehension questions.
QCan our school still use them if we don’t have laptops or tablets for all pupils?: AYes. Fiction Express can be used on digital whiteboards for whole-class reading. Chapters can also be printed in paper format and tasks can be assigned for homework.
QDoes Fiction Express have any accessibility features?: AYes, Fiction Express is accessible for dyslexic readers. The online reader has options to change the font type, font colour, background colour and font size. Chapters can be read as single page or double page format.
QCan it be accessed from a mobile phone? Is there an app?: AFiction Express can be accessed via the web browser on any mobile phone, it’s easy to use and there is no need to download an app.