Reading at Grange

Why is learning to read so important?

Ensuring all children become confident, successful readers is a high priority here at Grange. We believe that developing fluent reading skills enables children to succeed in their learning, gaining knowledge and understanding from the world around them. We believe that developing a love of reading from an early age is a key factor in ensuring success as a reader.

How do we teach reading at Grange?

We have developed and embedded whole school approaches to the teaching of reading. Our approach is underpinned with the belief of high expectations for all. 

Whole Class Reading 

Daily Reading lessons will be taught as a whole class where possible. 

In Reception (after settling in period) and Y1 – Little Wandle Reading groups take place 3 times per week. Comprehension skills are taught during daily story sessions through discussion.

From Y2 – Y6 (or once children are secure word readers) reading lessons will focus on teaching the explicit skills for comprehension. 

For KS1 and Y3 these skills will be taught using Pawsome gang  

For Y4 – Y6 these skills will be taught using Comprehension Express strategies

We are passionate about introducing children to a range of high quality literature as they move through school. A whole school Reading Spine sets out the key texts to be read in each year group. This ensures a wide range of genres as well as ensures challenge. We continuously review the Reading spine to ensure we promote recent releases and reflect the developing curriculum.  The Reading spine sets out the texts which must be covered in each year group. Other texts should be read in addition to these including non fiction texts and poetry. 

Opportunities for children to read 

Class Novel / Story time 

From this selection, adults will read to children daily, modelling reading with fluency and expression as well as enabling children to access language and comprehend above their word reading level. Teachers will use this time to share their love of reading and ignite children’s interest.

Selection of books in classrooms  

Each classroom will have a book corner / reading area. These are stocked with a range of well chosen books that will capture the children's imagination and develop their interests. The reading areas give children the opportunity to browse a small selection of specifically chosen books as well as revisit books which have been previously read by the teacher. The selection of books will be refreshed regularly. 

Visits to the school library 

Each child will have a weekly opportunity to visit the school library to borrow a book to take home alongside their reading book (Book to share). 

Phonics

Phonics and Early Reading

In EY and Y1 children have a daily synthetic phonics session following Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised 2021 programme. The aim of this is to teach children to become skilled word readers by enabling them to recognise each of the 44 sounds in the phonological alphabet and to use this knowledge to decode words fluently.  

As part of our phonics programme, children are introduced to word reading during our daily phonics lessons and reading practice sessions 3 times per week. When children are developing their word reading skills, the reading books they access mirror our phonic scheme and ensures children are only introduced to reading books once they have been taught the sounds to make the book fully decodable. This supports children to apply their phonic understanding to become skilled word readers as well as developing their confidence. Once the three reading practice sessions have been completed, children will bring home their reading practice book so they can shared their reading with an adult. Children will also bring home a sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This is for you and your child to read and enjoy together. For more information see our Phonics and Early Reading Policy (add link)

Reading is introduced through shared stories, rhymes and discussion with the youngest children in our provision. This is to ensure children can explore the layout and structure of books, hear and join in with story language, discuss characters and plot and make predictions to support a developing love of books. Books form the basis of activities in the different areas of learning throughout EY and this high profile continues throughout KS1 and KS2.

Accelerated Reader

Once children have developed a secure phonic understanding and decoding skills, they will move to our Accelerated Reader system. This is a computer based programme that supports children to choose from a wide range of texts which are closely matched to their reading level as well as allowing them to explore their interests and develop their love of reading. AR also supports the development of children’s comprehension skills as children complete online quizzes at the end of each book to help teachers monitor children’s understanding.

The role of Parent’s and Carers’

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. You have a key role in supporting your child as they learn to read and develop a love of reading.  All Children will bring home books to share and read at home and spending time each day listening to your child read or talking about what they have read will support them to make progress.

If your child is accessing our phonics programme (Little Wandle) There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A reading practice book/ Ebook - this will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently. This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

A sharing book - your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together. Reading at home encourages a love of books, along with developing vocabulary and discussion. Parents should use voices, expression, discuss unfamiliar vocabulary, talk about the pictures, and predict what might happen next.

If your child is accessing our Accelerated Reader programme, they will choose their reading book from our selection in the library. They will be supported by their class teacher to choose a book matched to their reading ability but also linked to their interests. Children will be encouraged to read books covering a wide range of topics and interests. You can support your child by listening to them read as well as talking with them about what they have read as well as their likes and dislikes.

Click on the link below for more information on how to support your child at home.

We carefully monitor reading at home in school so please ensure you sign your child’s reading card each time they have read or shared their reading with you.

Reading Rewards

We continually celebrate reading at home across school through giving out Dojos, our classroom displays as well as using our reading reward scheme. For each reading reward children earn, they choose a book to keep from a wide selection selected by the children.

Children accessing Little Wandle Revised (phonics scheme) earn a book prize for each full reading card (reading / sharing a book at home 68 times). Please ensure you sign your child’s card each time you read with them at home.

Children accessing Accelerated Reader earn a book prize for the points they earn when completing the comprehension quizzes at the end of each book.

Children will earn a book prize for earning the following points: 25 points

                                                                                                                  50 points

                                                                                                                  100 points

                                                                                                                  150 points

                                                                                                                  200 points

Contact Information

If you would like further information regarding reading at Grange, please contact Mrs Sinnott our Reading Lead through the school office or Class Dojo.