A Collection of English Learning Activities for
​​​​​​​the Promotion of reading and Values Education:
​​​​​​​Examples from the School-based Activity
​​​​​​​"SOW Readathon 2024/25"

The "SOW Readathon", which was held within the period of December 2024 – June 2025, was a signature school-based activity for the Campaign on Promoting Positive Values and Attitudes through English Sayings of Wisdom (SOW Campaign) in the 2024/25 school year. It aimed to promote reading habits and encourage sharing of good reads by engaging students in immersive school-based reading activities centring around the overarching theme “SOW the Reading Seed - Inspire and Be Inspired” . Schools were encouraged to provide students with holistic learning experiences under the four sub-themes “Resilience”, “Empowerment”, “Appreciation” and “Delight” (R.E.A.D.) through cross-curricular collaboration to enhance their literacy skills, broaden their imaginations, and cultivate a lifelong passion for reading. 

Promoting Values Education in
​​​​​​​The ​​​​​​​English language curriculum through reading

Examples of "sow readathon" Activities

book sharing

Students shared insights from books during assemblies and DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) sessions, enhancing the school's reading atmosphere and culture. By articulating their interpretations and personal connections to the stories, students developed their critical thinking and public speaking skills in the book sharing activities. This not only provided meaningful contexts for students' reading skills development but also cultivated a collaborative learning community where peers could inspire one another and appreciate a wide range of literary perspectives and themes.

reading across the curriculum (rac)

Reading across the Curriculum (RaC) was promoted in the school curriculum to connect students' learning experiences (e.g. Physical Education, STEAM Education, National Security Education, History) across the curriculum. Relevant contexts and post-reading activities (e.g. debates, creative tasks, projects) were designed to extend students' learning experiences beyond the classroom. By leveraging subject-specific topics, students were guided to integrate different subject knowledge and construct knowledge of the world, thereby paving the way for lifelong learning.

reading games & competitions

A variety of interactive games and competitions were designed to make reading engaging and fun. They included reading challenges, corner bookmark crafting workshops, the Book Gifting Competition, and themed game booths. Activities such as decorating the "Tree of Wisdom" or earning certificates for reading milestones were organised to motivate participation and foster a joyful and enthusiastic reading culture among students. All these helped promote a reading atmosphere, reinforce positive values and attitudes and highlight the importance of teamwork. 

book character day / performance

Students brought literature to life through vibrant Book Character Parades and dramatic performances. Students were provided with opportunities to showcase their creativity as well as develop skills in script reading and writing, costume design, public speaking and collaboration. These activities not only strengthened teamwork but also allowed students to express their artistic talents, and created memorable, shared experiences that deepened their connection to reading.

book fairs & book talks

Book fairs, author talks and graphic novelist workshops were organised to introduce students to new books and nurture creative minds. These events provided access to a wide range of reading materials and offered unique insights into writing and illustration techniques. By meeting authors and engaging in sharing sessions, students' curiosity was ignited, and their appreciation for literature was greatly enhanced. These activities effectively bridged the gap between readers and creators, inspiring students to explore new genres and engage in creative writing.

reading ambassadors

Students were recruited as Reading Ambassadors/Reading Rangers to support their schools in organising an array of learning activities beyond the classroom to promote reading. They took a leading role in promoting and implementing the reading activities. Taking the role as a Reading Ambassador, students were provided with opportunities to develop skills in communication, leadership and public speaking. Their enthusiastic advocacy helped foster a strong peer-led reading culture, encouraged wider participation of reading activities and empowered them to inspire others in their reading journeys.

Language-rich environment

A language-rich environment was created to immerse students in English reading and language learning to enhance the reading atmosphere. Learning activities/resources,  such as the Digital Fountain Tree Journal, thematic displays such as the R.E.A.D. "Tree of Wisdom", reading corners and English assemblies, were used to foster a vibrant atmosphere where language learning was visible and promoted in the everyday school life. This immersive setting provided constant exposure to quality language input, stimulated interest in reading and writing, and supported the development of language skills.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the following schools for their active participation in the school-based activity "SOW Readathon 2024/25":
  • A.D. & F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On School
  • Aldrich Bay Government Primary School
  • Buddhist Chi King Primary School
  • C.C.C Hoh Fuk Tong Primary School
  • C.C.C. Kei Tsun Primary School
  • C.C.C. Mong Wong Far Yok Memorial Primary School
  • C.C.C. Chun Kwong Primary School
  • Canossa Primary School (San Po Kong)
  • Canton Road Government Primary School
  • Chinese Methodist School North Point
  • Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School
  • Chung Sing School
  • Dr. Catherine F.Woo Memorial School
  • Farm Road Government Primary School
  • G.C.C.I.T.K.D. Cheong Wong Wai Primary School
  • Hennessy Road Government Primary School
  • Hennessy Road Government Primary School (Causeway Bay)
  • H.H.C.K.L.A. Buddhist Wong Cho Sum School
  • H.K.C.W.C. Hioe Tjo Yoeng Primary School
  • H.K.F.E.W. Wong Cho Bau School
  • Hong Kong And Macau Lutheran Church Ming Tao Primary School
  • Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary School
  • Jordan Road Government Primary School
  • Ka Ling School of The Precious Blood
  • Kwun Tong Government Primary School (Sau Ming Road)
  • Li Sing Primary School
  • Lok Wah Catholic Primary School
  • Lui Cheung Kwong Lutheran Primary School
  • Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay)
  • Pentecostal Yu Leung Fat Primary School
  • S.K.H. Chu Oi Primary School
  • S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary School
  • S.K.H. St. Clement's Primary School
  • S.K.H. St. Matthew's Primary School
  • S.K.H. St. Peter's Primary School
  • Sai Kung Central Lee Siu Yam Memorial School
  • Sha Tin Wai Dr. Catherine F. Woo Memorial School
  • Shak Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School
  • Sham Shui Po Government Primary School
  • Sharon Lutheran School
  • S.K.H. Tin Wan Chi Nam Primary School
  • S.K.H. Wei Lun Primary School
  • S.K.H. Yan Laap Memorial Primary School
  • S.K.H. Yan Laap Primary School
  • South Yuen Long Government Primary School
  • St. John The Baptist Catholic Primary School
  • St. Mary's Canossian School
  • St. Stephen's College Preparatory School
  • Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School
  • S.T.F.A. Wu Mien Tuen Primary School
  • Tai Po Old Market Public School
  • Taikoo Primary School
  • The Church of Christ in China Chuen Yuen Second Primary School
  • The Church of Christ in China Kei Tsz Primary School
  • The Little Flower's Catholic Primary School
  • The Yuen Yuen Institute Chan Kwok Chiu Hing Tak Primary School
  • W F Joseph Lee Primary School
  • Y.C.H. Chan Iu Seng Primary School


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  • Buddhist Ho Nam Kam College
  • Buddhist Hung Sean Chau Memorial College
  • C.N.E.C. Christian College
  • C.N.E.C. Lau Wing Sang Secondary School
  • C.U.H.K.F.A.A. Chan Chun Ha Secondary School
  • Caritas Chong Yuet Ming Secondary School
  • Caritas Tuen Mun Marden Foundation Secondary School
  • Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School
  • Chinese Y.M.C.A. Secondary School
  • Christian Alliance S. C. Chan Memorial College
  • CMA Secondary School
  • Delia Memorial School (Hip Wo)
  • H.K. & Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association Sun Fong Chung College
  • Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin)
  • Ho Lap College (Sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen)
  • Holy Trinity College
  • Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School
  • Hong Kong Chinse Women's Club College
  • Hong Kong True Light College
  • Lee Ching Dea Memorial College
  • Lok Sin Tong Ku Chiu Man Secondary School
  • Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School Of Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery
  • Maryknoll Fathers' School
  • Marymount Secondary School
  • N.T.H.Y.K. Tai Po District Secondary School
  • New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School
  • Newman Catholic College
  • Ning Po College
  • Notre Dame College
  • Po Leung Kuk No.1 W.H. Cheung College
  • Pok Oi Hospital Chan Kai Memorial College
  • Pope Paul VI College
  • Queen Elizabeth School Old Students' Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School
  • S.K.H. Bishop Mok Sau Tseng Secondary School
  • S.K.H. Li Fook Hing Secondary School
  • S.K.H. Tsoi Kung Po Secondary School
  • Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School
  • San Wui Commercial Society Chan Pak Sha School
  • Sha Tin Methodist College
  • Shau Kei Wan Government Secondary School
  • Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College
  • Shung Tak Catholic English College
  • Sing Yin Secondary School
  • St. Francis Xavier's College
  • St. Francis Xavier's School, Tsuen Wan
  • St. Joan of Arc Secondary School
  • St. Paul's Convent School
  • St. Paul's School (Lam Tin)
  • The Methodist Church Hong Kong Wesley College
  • The Salvation Army William Booth Secondary School
  • Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School
  • Tung Chung Catholic School
  • TWGHs Kwok Yat Wai College
  • Wah Yan College Kowloon
  • WEO Chang Pui Chung Memorial School
  • Y.L.P.M.S.A.A. Tang Siu Tong Secondary School
  • Y.M.C.A. of Hong Kong Christian College
  • Yan Oi Tong Chan Wong Suk Fong Memorial Secondary School
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