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Reading
Reading at Tockholes
The National Curriculum focus on two dimensions for reading:
- word reading
- comprehension (both listening and reading).
Teaching at Tockholes focuses on developing pupils’ competence in both dimensions. Skilled word reading involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. Underpinning both is the understanding that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words. This is why phonics is effective in the teaching of early reading.
Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge (in particular of vocabulary and grammar) and on knowledge of the world. Comprehension skills develop through pupils’ experience of high-quality discussion, as well as from reading and discussing a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. All pupils are encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live, We seek to establish an appreciation and love of reading as we know that reading widely increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure-house of wonder and joy for curious young minds. Each month a new selection of books are recommended for each Key Stage across a range of genres.
At St Stephen’s Tockholes, we strive to instill a lifelong love of reading for all pupils so that all children leave school as skilled, knowledgeable readers. We see home reading as a vital part of our mission and below is a guide to explain how it works through school.
KS1
In Key Stage One the following year groups will take home:
Reception
- 1 decodable reading book that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge
- 1 reading for pleasure book
- 1 tricky and decodable word car that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge experiences. Reading books will be changed regularly and the child will only move
Year 1
- 1 decodable reading book that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge
- 1 colour banded book
- 1 tricky and decodable word car that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge experiences. Reading books will be changed regularly and the child will only move
Year 2
- 1 decodable reading book that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge
- 1 colour banded book
- 1 tricky and decodable word car that matches the child’s current phonic knowledge experiences. Reading books will be changed regularly and the child will only move
The decodable reading book should match the sounds that your child currently knows and the aim is that your child should be able to read it confidently and fluently. It is recommended that it is read at least 3 times during the week: once to decode, once with fluency and once using expression and intonation. The colour banded book will also be in line with your child’s current reading level.
In your child’s reading record book, please can you write down the title of the book that you are reading and the date on which it has been read, as well as your initials. On each day that your child reads a book or part of a book, a dojo will be awarded to your child. This will hopefully be an added incentive to encourage your child to read as much and as frequently as possible. Teachers will always read and acknowledge any comments written in your child’s reading record book and address any issues raised. Books will be changed weekly and should be brought to school daily for staff to read with the children as well.
KS2
In KS2, all children will take home a reading book with a reading level to help them build their fluency and develop their understanding of a text. We use reading levels because it allows children to feel and become successful readers, completing multiple books over the year, letting them experience a wide range of genres.
Our home reading books offer a range of text types so children can enjoy a variety of texts:
Greatest Stories - Classic children stories
Chucklers - Funny stories
Myths and Legends - Classic famous tales
inFact - Non-fiction on a variety of topics
Reflect - A mixture of non-fiction stories with positive messages about being a good citizen
When deciding a child's reading level we use a running record, which shows us how successful children are at word reading, followed up by some questions for understanding. A home reading book should be easy for the child to read, building their confidence and developing a pleasure for reading. We have planned in assessment windows across the school year to enable teachers to see whether children need a different level reading. As list of questions to ask children when reading can be found here. If you have any serious concerns then please talk to your child's class teacher.
Reading Eggs
Children have a login for Reading Eggs which they can access at school and at home. Please contact school if you are usure of your child's login details.