Au sein de Collège Champittet, fostering a lifelong love of reading is a cornerstone of the educational philosophy. Recognizing the profound benefits—from enhanced cognitive abilities to greater empathy and creativity—the school has implemented a highly successful initiative called the Literary Passport. Now in its third year, this voluntary program for students in grades 6 through 8 has seen participation grow annually, demonstrating its effectiveness in building a vibrant community of readers. The program encourages exploration across three languages: French, English, and German. Teachers curate a diverse selection of age-appropriate books, all available in the school library, providing students with a rich literary landscape to discover. The core mechanism is engaging: after finishing a book, students meet with the recommending teacher for a brief discussion and summary. Successfully demonstrating their comprehension earns them a 'stamp' in their passport, turning reading into an interactive and validated journey. This structured yet flexible approach not only motivates students but also ensures they are actively engaging with the text, moving beyond passive consumption to develop critical thinking and comprehension skills in multiple languages.
The Literary Passport program cleverly combines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to cultivate voracious reading habits. While students earn extra credit points toward their overall academic average for each book completed—a tangible reward—many discover that the true prize is the joy of reading itself. Anecdotes from participants, like seventh-grader Addison who proudly read a 200-page book in a single afternoon, highlight how the program ignites genuine passion. The suggested reading list is thoughtfully designed to captivate young minds, featuring titles such as 'La rivière à l’envers' by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, 'Because of Winn-Dixie' by Kate Dicamillo, and 'Spannende Tour im Schwarzwald' by Andrea Maria Wagner. By integrating this initiative into the school culture, Collège Champittet reinforces the idea that reading is a rewarding adventure that opens doors to new worlds and perspectives. The program's success lies in its ability to make reading a celebrated, shared experience, proving that building consistent reading habits can be both academically beneficial and deeply enjoyable for students.
