Reading
At Ryecroft Primary Academy, teachers promote a positive reading culture through all areas of the curriculum from the very first day of school. Fiction, poetry and non-fiction books are available for every child to read and enjoy both in school and to read at home. We are determined to support our children in being the very best readers that they can be. It is important to us, that children at Ryecroft Primary Academy develop a lifelong love for reading, so throughout the year, reading events and opportunities are planned for, to elevate the standing of reading. These events include: whole school reading days, author / illustrator visits, book giveaways and events such as World Book Day.
Aims
Our aims in the teaching of reading are:
- To develop a sound knowledge of phonics, thus equipping our children with the essential skills to read
- To expose our children to a vocabulary rich diet of reading
- To provide a consistent and progressive approach to teaching reading through challenging, high quality and age appropriate texts
- To implement effective comprehension strategies so that pupils’ ability to read for meaning improves and challenges the most able
- To ensure all children improve their fluency, and thus support at least good progress in reading for every child
- To develop a love for reading by providing real books that foster an interest in a variety of texts and genres, both fiction and non-fiction.
Approach
- Phonics and early reading is taught with fidelity using ELS (Essential Letters and Sounds) across the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One. Through this programme we develop the children’s phonological awareness, ability to segment and blend words and read tricky words by sight – in order to become fluent readers. These sessions in Year 1 include using the ELS Apply books.
- Early reading – teachers only use books that are fully decodable at the pupils level allowing them to apply their current phonics knowledge. Reading books are carefully matched to the phonics phase that pupils are working in and children are able to talk about their favourite books.
- The Reading Strategy is a trust-wide approach to develop reading comprehension skills, and takes place most days for between 30 – 40 minutes from Y2 – Y6. It incorporates age-appropriate, challenging texts which are vocabulary rich therefore pupils are exposed to text which enables them to respond using a greater range of vocabulary. Each year group has carefully chosen texts which last for up to a term. All year groups have a reading response book which reflects the pride and enjoyment which children have towards their reading. The texts are supplemented with non-fiction and poetry to ensure a broad range of literature is experienced.
- Independent reading – children in Key Stage 2 are given the opportunity to read independently every day.
- Reading Plus – Children in Year 3-6 also access daily Reading Plus sessions. This session allows the children to focus on improving their fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, stamina, and motivation for reading. The children complete their session using an electronic device which tracks their reading speed and understanding. Staff use the data to continually assess the children’s reading level and adapt the programme to suit the needs of the individual child plugging specific gaps. A group of children who may struggle to access this programme will be given the opportunity to develop their fluency using a text which is more at their ability level or may work on their phonic knowledge during this time.
- Story time – A strategic approach to story time is embedded though daily ‘Reading for Pleasure’ sessions. All pupils in the academy enjoy listening to an age-appropriate story every day. Each classroom is transformed into an inviting environment where the pupils are able to lose themselves in the imaginary world inspired by the story telling experience.
- Assessment takes various forms of both formative and summative at all stages of the child’s learning, and progress is tracked rigorously in weekly RAG meetings with leaders and the Head of Academy.
- Love of reading is defined by the ongoing initiatives throughout school.
- Home reading – all children take home books every day to read. Children following the phonics scheme take books that are phonically decodable and match their current learning alongside a book that will stretch their learning and understanding. Once children are reading more fluently they choose books to go home that follow their lexile level that is determined from data from Reading Plus. KS1 pupils have access to Oxford Owl reading materials that are set at their reading level and KS2 pupils complete online reading through Reading Plus. Both of these systems monitor the reading of the children.
We use praise and rewards to encourage reading. By surrounding children with books we create a culture of reading early on. All pupils are given a book bag and series of traditional tales when they join our Early Years provision. Parents are also invited to attend ‘Stay and Play’ sessions where they can read with their children.
We have invested in reading books to ensure pupils are taking home a phonetically decodable book that is matched to their reading ability. Furthermore, books are strategically placed in classrooms and in corridors that allow children to further their knowledge on subjects that may interest them. Our intent is that no child should leave our school without being able to read.
We listen to the pupils read regularly and they are then encouraged to read aloud to an adult at home at least three times a week. This is to help reinforce their word recognition; improve their fluency and confidence; and share their love of reading with siblings and parents. We reward pupils who read at home with ‘regular reading’ prizes. They are recognised weekly and half-termly in assembly with special prizes and everywhere around school, you will see encouragement for reading. We acknowledge that not all pupils will have the opportunity to read at home. Therefore, we ensure these pupils are listened to as often as possible within school.
We want the pupils to develop a love of reading. This is encouraged through the use of reading challenges, our school library and class texts. We ensure all of our pupils read widely and often, with fluency and comprehension appropriate to their age. Furthermore, we arrange engaging experiences such as author visits, library visits and book fayres to expose the pupils to the joy that reading can bring. This aims to involve and inspire the community with developing a love of reading.
A strategic approach to story time is being embedded. All pupils in the academy enjoy listening to an age appropriate story every day. Each classroom is transformed in to an inviting environment where the pupils are able to lose themselves in the imaginary world inspired by the story telling experience.
Phonics @ Breakfast Club
At Breakfast Club children in Key Stage One enjoy active phonics and reading time.
