Reading at Cotsford
The key features of our reading curriculum are:
- Ensuring that we have an effective early reading programme.
- Develop fluency by ensuring children are given opportunities to practise their reading frequently.
- Exposure top high-quality texts to develop a love of reading.
The programmes of study for Reading at Key Stages 1 and 2 consist of 2 dimensions:
- word reading.
- comprehension (both listening and reading).
It is essential that teaching focuses on developing pupils’ competence in both dimensions; different kinds of teaching are needed for each.
Our reading journey
To begin their reading journey, the children need to focus on the first dimension from the National Curriculum which is word reading (phonics). We teach phonics using Read Write Inc. Phonics.
The programme is for:
- Pupils in Reception to year 2 who are learning to read and write.
- Any pupils in Years 2,3 and 4 who need to catch up rapidly.
- Struggling readers in Years 5 and 6 receive 1:1 using RWI resources.
Read Write Inc.
Phonics
In Read Write Inc. Phonics pupils:
- Decode letter-sound correspondences quickly and effortlessly, using their phonic knowledge and skills.
In Reception we emphasise the alphabetic code – embedding the alphabetic code early means that pupils quickly learn to write simple words and sentences. Pupils rapidly learn letter- sound correspondence and simple mnemonics help them to grasp this quickly. Learning is consolidated daily and pupils have frequent practice in reading. (Including high frequency words and common exception words).
Fluency
In Read Write Inc. Phonics pupils:
- Read common exception words on sight.
- Understand what they read.
- Read aloud with fluency and expression.
We make sure that pupils read RWI books that are closely matched to their increasing knowledge of phonics and the common exception words. This is so that, early on, they experience success and gain confidence when reading. Re-reading and discussing these books with the teacher further develop fluency. Alongside this, the teachers read a wide range of stories, poetry, and non-fiction to pupils.
Reading lessons
Once children have seecured their phonic code, children are introduced to VIPERS reading lessons where we focus on 6 key skills to further develop their vocabulary and language comprehension.
These include:
- Vocabulary,
- inference,
- prediction,
- explaining,
- retrieval
- sequencing/ summarising.
Home readers
Children who access RWI phonics receive decodable reading books which are matched to the children’s phonic ability.
Once children have mastered their phonic code, they access a curated set of books that are age appropriate. These booklists are regularly updated based on the children’s voice with a key directive – encourage the children to be passionate about books.
Reading plus
Children from year 4 – 6 access an online resource called Reading plus, which develops fluency, vocabulary, and language comprehension.
The program has many benefits but the two main areas that Cotsford believe are key are:
- It encourages children to increase the number of words read per minute to further develop their fluency.
- Children must complete rereads which further develops their understanding of the text.
Reading is a skill essential for life and at Cotsford we want our children to leave school with a love of reading. Reading is a habit and that habit needs to be grounded in what we do at school. Children need to see adults loving books, so school staff are encouraged to share their love of reading with the children. This of course includes magazines, graphic novels, and online reading as well as traditional books.
Useful Downloads
- 10 Top Tips for Reading Stories to your Child
- Handwriting Phrases to Help Letter Formation
- Learning to Read with Read Write Inc – FAQs for Parents
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