Reading Scheme
The school has a three-pronged approach to reading that includes:
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whole class reading
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guided reading (learning new vocabulary and developing key reading skills)
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individual reading at home and school.
Whole class reading is practiced in English lessons and complex texts are chosen, with elements that will challenge readers at all abilities within each class. All children read out loud to their peers and their class teacher during whole class reading. Children with special needs, disabilities and/or English as an additional language are supported in various ways to optimise their exposure to these rich and challenging texts (most of which recommended through the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE)'s 'Power of Reading' scheme).
There are three guided reading sessions each week in KS2, where shorter, but no less challenging texts are read in smaller groups, discussed with peers and the class teacher and then children individually complete quizzes based on their understanding.
For independent and home reading, the school uses a 'Book Band' reading scheme (see below). Books are banded using a colour scheme, based on a combination between the complexity of the words and themes contained within the books. While children are learning phonics, the books from which they choose are all phonically decodable (Pink to Orange). As children progress up the colour bands, the books develop vocabulary knowledge with content suitable for children growing in confidence and life experiences. Children must read two books within their colour band in order to earn a 'free choice' which is primary-age appropriate.
Book Bands were created by the Institute of Education in London c.2000. Book bands are based on clear and steady progression from wordless picture books (Lilac), the use of phonics (decodable books, Pink to Orange) and continued language/stamina development (Turquoise to Ruby with Onyx available for Year 6 children in the summer term preparing for secondary school). Book bands allow books from different publishers, authors and schemes to be placed in parallel reading stages. This adds variety, breadth and depth to the reading resources, in line with the expectations of the 2014 National Curriculum. Book bands are used to organise reading books in the majority of primary schools and by most national publishers.
In addition to the support of teachers and other staff within the school, we are also fortunate to have enlisted a “Reading Army” of volunteers who visit the school regularly and listen to our children read.
Our school is fully committed to encouraging all children to read outside of school. We have set up a number of initiatives to achieve this:
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scrutiny of reading diaries
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rewarding children who read outside of the classroom i.e. at home
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identifying opportunities for children to read outside school where reading at home is difficult
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parent and child after-school reading club.
The school supports children by providing ideas for further reading, both within and across genres. We publicise these within the school and on the parents’ newsletter. It is our aim to promote a wide range of reading ideas that include children’s classics through to modern high quality texts, as well as texts that are complex in style and language or otherwise provide the reader with food for thought.
The Reading Book Suggestions below are suggestions of books that can be read at home and/or as a 'free read' choice that are suitable for your child's reading age. If you need any other help and suggestions of books suitable for your child please ask Mrs Mingay.