- children deserve a rich curriculum which encourages extensive reading of books and other kinds of texts;
- planning enables links across learning, which create a wide range of opportunities in which children can read for pleasure;
- children will have the opportunity to experience whole books to support them in their understanding of literary structures and allow them to become absorbed in the story itself;
- the active encouragement of reading for pleasure should be a core part of every child’s educational entitlement, whatever their background or attainment. Extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to students’ educational achievement;
- children will be encouraged to read texts which reflect their own heritage and that of other cultural groups. Children should be allowed to explore and engage with texts in their native language;
- all children should have access to a wide range of texts in different formats and genres and support in enjoying them where necessary;
- the school will engage and support parents in enabling access to a full range of reading experiences. Where this is not possible, action will be taken to provide compensatory measures which allow equality of access to all children;
- home-school relationships will promote the importance of all adults in fostering a love of reading
- school reading should not only be seen as synonymous with attainment and judgement as this could influence children’s perceptions of books and reading;
- professional development and support for teachers will be provided to allow them to explore the huge range of printed and electronic reading materials available and to enable them to support children in their reading choices.
Shared Reading Lessons in Reception and Year 1
We want our children to be fluent readers, so shared reading sessions are to teach children how to read (using their phonic knowledge to date) and to model fluency in reading.
It is important that children can apply their phonic skills to reading. Children have a daily reading session in school, based on the phonic skills they have been taught. We use fully decodable texts to give children opportunity to use their new skills. We also give children the opportunity to discuss higher tier vocab, to ensure children understand what they are reading.
How you can help at home
As well as reading the words, it is very important to spend time discussing the text and asking your child questions. It is also very helpful for you to read a line and encourage your child to echo your reading as this will help them on their journey to becoming fluent readers. It is also important to reread texts as it promotes greater reading fluency, accuracy in reading, whilst also supporting deeper comprehension of the text and confidence in reading.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to come in to school and talk to the class teacher or Mrs Bayes, Deputy Headteacher.
