Reading

How We Teach Reading

YR and Y1

Children are taught to read in accordance with their growing phonics knowledge. We use a range of phonetically decodable books which are perfectly aligned to the phonics stage for each pupil.

Pupils will work within a small group (no more than 8) to read a book which has been selected by their teacher. They will read this book for one week using the following format:

Session 1 - Decoding the Text

• Teacher will model how to read each word, focusing upon blending each sound and reviewing the 'tricky' words that will appear in the text.
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model and practice with their partner

Session 2 - Prosody

• Teacher will model how to use expression, dynamics and punctuation to bring the text to life.
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They learn how punctuation is used to guide the reader. They will rehearse different voices for different characters. They will explore how changing their voice can bring the story to life and create images in the reader's mind.

Session 3 - Oracy

• Teacher will model how to use full sentences to orally compose answers to comprehension questions
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They learn that oracy is an important aspect of reading, particularly in formulating opinions and challenging the views of others.

Session 4 - Comprehension

• Teacher will model how to compose written responses to comprehension questions
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They will learn how to provide answers in full sentences, using words from the question in their written answer. They will also learn that different types of questions require different styles of written answers

Y2 - Y6

We teach reading as a class through excerpts and whole texts.

Pupils will have a copy of the class text which will be kept in school for the purpose of our reading lessons. The reading lesson is split into two element.

During daily story time, the teacher will read the class book; children may read along with their own copy if they so wish.

During reading lessons, the teacher will direct children to explore one passage of the class book in more detail, forensically analysing the sentence construction and story conventions. In this teaching, we echo the format established in KS1.

Session 1 - Vocabulary

• Teacher will model how to read each word, focusing upon definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary. Children will learn how to look for contextual clues, find root words/prefixes/suffixes and how to bring their own understanding to bear in deciphering vocabulary.
• Pupils will read a selected passage to see how unfamiliar vocabulary works in context.

Session 2 - Prosody

• Teacher will model how to use expression, dynamics and punctuation to bring the text to life. Teacher will model how to read smoothly and at an appropriate pace to build reading fluency.
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They learn how punctuation is used to guide the reader. They will learn that different punctuation is used to indicate different things and understand that punctuation separates clauses to make the story easier for the reader to follow.

Session 3 - Oracy

• Teacher will model how to use full sentences and evidence from the text, to orally compose answers to comprehension questions.
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They learn that book talk is an important aspect of reading, particularly in formulating opinions and challenging the views of others.

Session 4 - Comprehension

• Teacher will model how to compose written responses to comprehension questions
• Pupils will follow the teacher's model. They will learn how to provide answers in full sentences, using words from the question in their written answer. They will also learn that different types of questions require different styles of written answers.

Session 5 - Book Club

• Teacher will pose open-ended questions to encourage pupils to think about the texts that they choose to read.
• Pupils will use taught oracy skills to discuss texts that they have read and that they would like to read, giving reasons for their choice.

Reading at Home

YR - Y1

Pupils take home two books per week.

At the conclusion of the school reading session 4, to increase their confidence with reading, they will then take the same book home to read with a trusted adult. The book must be returned to school on the specified day next week, ready to be used with another group of pupils.

On returning the book to school, pupils will then choose a book from the Early Reading library to share at home with their family. This book may not be fully decodable, and it is important that a trusted adult or older sibling reads this book to the pupil, modelling a love of reading. The book must be returned to school on the specified day.

Y2 - Y6

Pupils are encouraged to choose their own home reading books from their class library which has been stocked with a range of reading materials relevant to the reading ability of the class and appropriate for their age-range. Pupils are expected to read 5 times per week and to have a trusted adult sign their Reading Record as proof that this has happened. This diary also serves as a reading dialogue between home and school.

The class library is restocked at regular intervals throughout the year, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

Teachers also use Bug Club to supplement home and school reading.

What is Bug Club?

Bug Club is a finely-levelled reading scheme for schools, which ensures that all children can find books at exactly the right level for them. The colour bands correspond with that of the home readers sent home with the children. Children currently use Bug Club in school to read content for their reading lessons and are enjoying the great resources it has to offer.

Using the online reading world

If you have access to an internet connection, your child can enjoy reading Bug Club books online. Each child has a unique homepage, and can log into it by following these steps:

1. Go to www.activelearnprimary.co.uk (please make sure you access using ‘co.uk’ as you can be directed to the Australian site, in which case your login details will not work).

2. Enter the login details required. If you do not have these details, please ask your child’s class teacher. The school code is 7p3L (case sensitive).

3. Your child’s homepage will appear.

Reading a book online

Teachers allocate books to your child according to their reading levels. These books will appear in the 'My Stuff' area of their personal homepages. There are also quiz questions for your child to complete. To answer a question, simply click on the bug icon.

Happy Reading!