Reading/Phonics Overview
Reception/KS1
At Cotherstone Primary, we use the Read Write Inc approach in order to teach synthetic phonics. The Read Write Inc approach teaches children to hear sounds, read the grapheme or graphemes (letters) that represent these sounds and blend them to read words.
Books that are read in phonics sessions at school will only contain the sounds that the children have learnt and are matched to their phonics ability so that children can read more efficiently and fluently. Children will begin by learning the letter sounds and then once they have learnt all of the Set 1 sounds they will read a phonics book in their daily phonics session. At the end of the week they will take that book home to share with their family. Your child should be able to read this book quite fluently.
In addition, they will also take a ‘Book Bag book’ home too that will complement and consolidate the learning that children have made in school.
Your child will also have a book band book to read at home that matches their phonic ability.
A phonics lesson is taught daily in Class 1 for half an hour each morning and individual reading books are changed on a Monday and Thursday morning.
We also have a number of parent helpers who listen to individual readers each week.
We encourage the children to read at home for just 10-15 minutes per day as it can have a huge effect not only on their reading development but also for their imagination, creativity and also their emotional wellbeing.
If a child falls behind in their reading, we will help them to catch up by introducing:
- Extra phonics teaching at their level of development
- Extra 1-1 reading sessions
- More specialist support if required.
- Lexia- an online reading support programme.
KS2
Individual Reading
Each child will have the opportunity to read to an adult in class on a regular basis. This will be an opportunity for each child to read an age and ability appropriate book from our reading scheme. An informed comment based on national curriculum reading expectations will be made in the child’s school reading record. These will include observations regarding decoding, use of grammar, comprehension, expression and inference.
Guided Reading
Guided reading groups consist of a focused, teacher-led reading session with a small group of children. This gives children the opportunity to interrogate a book together. These sessions are ‘guided’ by the teacher or adult and children are encouraged to show their understanding of a text, make predictions, discuss characters’ feelings and author choices within a small group of their peers.
Home Reading
All children are encouraged to read regularly at home, whether it be school reading schemes books, a book of their own choosing, magazines, comics etc. all of which can be documented in their home/school reading record. You can help your child’s reading progress by ensuring that the words are read correctly (approximately 90% per page) and by asking questions about character and events in the text.
For details regarding the reading book bands and schemes please see the Reading Bands Information Booklet.
Reading Bands Information Booklet
Mr B’s Reading at Home Presentation
Please select the link below to view the presentation.
Adobe Reader
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