Reading
Reading has a very high profile at RKPS.
Our school library sits at the heart of our school, and our class reading areas reflect the high value we place on this aspect of our children’s education. We promote reading in all areas of our curriculum and give the children the time and space to enjoy a good book both inside and outside the classroom. Our children have positive attitudes towards reading and are able to talk about what they enjoy about reading and why it is important to them as learners. Our Reading Policy will give you more information about how this is achieved through our everyday practise at school.
Phonics
Through Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Year 3, children receive daily lessons, which are fun and engaging and designed to be memorable. In addition to this, children are exposed to reading books that match their level of phonics development both in terms of decoding, problem solving and common exception words.
Shared Reading
Here at Rudyard, we know that adults have a vital role in modelling effective language and communication when story telling. In English lessons (through our Power of Reading approach), the teachers share a high quality class text with the children. Questions are asked by the adults to help develop their understanding of the book.
Children will learn about the structure of stories, poems and information texts. An awareness of writing styles and conventions is also developed through reading so that children can be aware of these and apply them to their own writing.
Guided Reading
Children also read weekly in small groups with the teacher. After some initial teaching and discussion of the text (which is appropriate to their level of ability) they read individually, guided by the teacher in order to develop their reading skills.
Other reading in school
There is a reading area in all classrooms and children have regular access to our school library. Hearing stories and poems is just as important as reading them and story time is a very special time for both children and teachers. Teachers model good reading skills which help to make the texts more interesting and enjoyable to the listener. We also have Relaxing Reading time, where children can choose their own book to sit back relax and read!
Reading Support Network
We have a team of fabulous reading volunteers who work with children across the school, from Reception to Year 6 to support them in their reading. They might help the youngest members of our school use their phonics to decode new words, or have conversations with our older children to develop inference and comprehension skills. We are always looking for new volunteers. Contact Ms Forsyth, via the office if you are interested.
Home reading
The link between school and home reading is invaluable. Children need to practise their reading as often as possible and the benefits of reading at least 3 x a week makes a significant difference. Your child’s reading book will be changed regularly in school, but do not limit their reading to book band/phonic books only, children may complement their school reading books with books from home.
Checklist for reading records
Ensure your child has their reading record with them in school everyday
Please record when you have read with your child (doesn’t need to be very long) at least 3 x a week for the chance for them to win a new book for Blast off into Reading).
We absolutely love finding out what books your child has enjoyed reading at home. Thank you for your continued support.
