Reading has a high priority within the curriculum and we promote a love of books and reading as soon as children enter Reception. We have a rich range of books across the school, and across the curriculum, and enjoy regular visits to our local library which is adjacent to our school. We have a wonderful school library with a rich variety of books. Events such as World Book Day are celebrated each year to raise the profile and enjoyment of reading, in addition to other special reading mornings and character days. We invite authors to come and visit and enjoy our daily reading sessions.
Phonics & Early Reading
Children begin their reading journey on entry to Reception and teaching phonics is the first important step in learning to read. Our teaching and learning is based upon Read Write Inc, which is a systematic way of teaching how to link sounds to letters, and blend them together to read. Phonics is taught daily from Reception through to Year 1 and Year 2.
Reading at Home
All children should bring home a school reading book every day. Children can change their reading book as often as they like. It is expected that children read at least five times per week with an adult at home using this book and record this in their reading record, which is checked in school every Thursday.
Further information on early reading can be found on the PowerPoint below which was shared during the Early Reading Meeting
Shared Reading
Teachers model the reading process as part of lessons throughout the curriculum and ensure that children are challenged in their understanding of texts through questioning and discussion.
Whole Class Reading Using Literary Leaves (Years 2-6)
The Literary Leaves are a suite of book-based comprehension resources for Y2-Y6 designed to support teachers with the teaching of reading, using whole books, rather than extracts. They are created for use in a whole-class reading session or a guided reading session when the skills of reading comprehension are being taught.
Each Literary Leaf has 10-20 session notes, with each session focussing on a particular skills, ensuring that children secure these deeply. In many cases the same question stem is used several times to ensure the teacher can model how to answer this type of question, before the children have the opportunity to apply it themselves.
Progression in Grammar, Writing, Spelling & Reading Y1 – Y6
Reading For Pleasure
If you can encourage your child to read for pleasure, they will really reap the benefits. It might not seem like a particularly important task, but actually, research shows that reading for pleasure can be directly linked to children’s success throughout their time at school and even into adulthood.
Reading for pleasure opens up new worlds for children. It gives them the opportunity to use their imagination to explore new ideas, visit new places and meet new characters. Interestingly, reading for pleasure also improves children’s well-being and empathy. It helps them to understand their own identity, and gives them an insight into the world and the views of others.
Here are some ideas for encouraging your child to read for pleasure:
- Set aside a special time – just a few minutes a day is enough to create a reading habit.
- Get caught reading yourself – show that reading for pleasure is not just for children.
- Read to each other – if your child really doesn’t want to read on their own, then read together. You read a page, then they read a page. Or one of you could read any dialogue. Be brave and put on different voices.
- Value the books they choose to read – all reading is valuable for a child’s development. Some of us prefer non-fiction; some of us prefer comics. One child might like superhero books; another might a book of football statistics.
- Set a challenge – can they read ten books before they’re ten? Can they read a book from six different genres: a comic, an information book, a funny book, a sci-fi book, a classic and an instruction manual?
- Reading buddies – reading to a younger sibling can boost your child’s self-confidence and communication skills.
- Audiobooks – audiobooks allow children to experience a book above their own reading level. It also allows you to share a book together or make the most of those car journeys. Listening to a story over and over again can improve vocabulary and encourage deeper comprehension.
- Read-a-thon – join a sponsored reading event to raise money for charity.
- Stage and screen – use your child’s favourite films or games as a springboard into reading. Knowing the characters and storyline can be a helpful bridge into reading a longer story.
- Book club – find out about local book clubs.
Recommended Reads
Each of our Year Group Recommended Reads lists contains 50 books specially picked out for reading for pleasure in each primary year group. The lists are designed to provide some recommendations of age-appropriate and accessible books across a range of genres and styles.
This list has been collated by a company with the considerations of balance across different genres and styles. Some children naturally navigate towards non-fiction, while others find graphic novels or poetry the most enjoyable forms to pick up and read. Each list contains a balance of age-appropriate fiction, picture books, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels, with a handful of novelty or tactile books added in too. We’ve also aimed to collate lists that cater for different reading styles, interest levels, publication dates (you’ll find some true golden oldies as well as brand new titles on each list) and also books that contain a diversity of characters and settings.
https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/recommended-reads/
Additional Information/ Links
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-for-pleasure/
https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parents/
https://global.oup.com/education/
https://www.readingrockets.org/
scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading.html