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.

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