Reading
Reading at school
The Teaching of Reading
This takes places for 20 – 30 minutes daily in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Children are exposed to rich and varied texts which are age appropriate and are often linked to the literacy and curriculum topics.
The teaching of reading aims to build fluent and confident readers. We focus on ensuring children can read with accuracy and fluency, use high order reading skills which contribute to their comprehension of texts and to develop a love of literature.
During a half term, classes alternate between whole class book studies and guided reading lessons. Book Studies focus on key skills using the same text, although activities are differentiated for children’s individual needs. Guided Reading sessions allow teachers to work with a small group of children focusing on a particular skill, for example reading with expression.
How else do we promote the love of reading?
Every classroom has an inviting book corner with a range of fiction and non-fiction texts available. Children may access this during reading sessions or during other parts of the day. Key Stage 1 also has a special reading room where children can relax and read for pleasure with an adult during the school day.
Book banded books are also available in your child’s classroom for you to borrow during the week. Please log how your child is getting on in their reading book logs. We recommend children change their book no more than twice a week as we encourage children to reread for fluency and accuracy.
In school we ae lucky enough to have an inviting and well-equipped library. Classes have timetabled slots to visit the library and this is also open some break and lunchtimes for children to read for pleasure. We offer a wide range of after school clubs that are linked to promoting the love of reading such as Bug Club and Reading Club.
Phonics
What we do?
In Early Years and Key Stage 1 every child takes part in daily class phonics sessions which last around 15 – 20 minutes. We use Read Write Inc resources to support this teaching.
Children’s phonics knowledge is tracked throughout foundation stage and key stage 1 to ensure progress in phonics. Children work at their own pace, learning the different sounds and then blending these sounds for reading.
Additional sessions are provided on the weekly timetable to support those children that may need to make accelerated progress in order to meet end of year expectations in phonics.
How you can help?
Make sure your child is at school on time everyday so they are not missing out on phonics sessions.
Encourage your child to blend and segment at home e.g. I can see a c-a-t.
Remember phonics is not the only thing needed to become a fluent reader:
- Look for clues in the pictures.
- Reread to check it makes sense.
- Ask questions about the book.
Scan these QR codes to be taken directly to some online phonics videos on our school website
Below are some useful websites to support your child with their phonics and reading skills:
This website has lots of free phonics games which includes reading both real and alien words. The children are familiar with this website and it is very popular!
This website has a range of different games focusing on the reading of sounds, words and sentences.
http://www.familylearning.org.uk/phonics_games.html
A variety of different phonics games that your child will enjoy.
www.oxfordphonicschecksupport.co.uk
This website will generate example phonics screening papers. You will need to register with an email address but it is free to do so.
Information about Read Write Inc. Speed Sounds
At the heart of Read Write Inc. Phonics is the systematic teaching of all the common sounds in the English language (RWI calls these the Speed Sounds). Children are taught to recognise the sounds and to put them together (‘sound blend’ them) into words for reading.
Children are taught one way of representing the 44 main sounds of English first, and then go on to learn the alternative spellings later on.
When teaching the letter sounds, it is important to remember to keep them very ‘pure’ and distinct, to help with sound-blending later on. To enable your child to gain confidence in reading, they should only be asked to read words containing letter sounds they know securely.
Read Write Inc. introduces the simple Speed Sounds (one sound, one grapheme) with Speed Sounds Set 1 and Set 2. They then learn more ways of writing the same sounds with the complex Speed Sounds Set 3. Children are taught letter names before moving on to Speed Sounds Set 3.
Once children know the first set of Speed Sounds, they are ready to read the first Storybooks.
Speed Sounds Set 1
m - a - s - d - t - i - n - p - g - o - c - k - u - b - f - e - l - h - sh - r - j - v - y - w - th - z - ch - qu - x - ng – nk
Speed Sounds Set 2
ay – ee – igh – ow – oo – oo – ar – or – air – ir – ou – oy
Speed Sounds Set 3
a-e – ea – i-e – o-e – u-e – aw – are – ur – er – ow – ai – oa – ew – ire – ear – ure – tious – tion