Reading with your child is vital. Research shows that it is one of the most important things you can do to help your child's education.
Reading is a key skill that enables your child to access the whole curriculum. In school we encourage everyone to discover the pleasure books can give. We explain that books are not just for reading words on a page but that they can present new ideas and topics for us all to discuss and learn from.
A high-quality systematic phonics lesson is taught every day at Pearson in EYFS and Key Stage 1. We follow the Phonics Play scheme which is linked to the Letters and Sounds book.
Every day in school we ask your children to read in a variety of contexts, for example, to follow instructions, to solve problems, to research or to read for pleasure. In addition, we hear your children read during guided reading sessions and on an individual basis as appropriate. We believe in the value of our youngest children reading with an adult every day to ensure that they have the best possible start. In years 1 and 2 we run our ‘every child, every day’ initiative alongside the whole class teaching of reading. In years 3 to 6 we have daily whole class reading lessons with targeted support where necessary.
How can I support my child’s reading?
We hope that at some point during the week, you and your child manage to find time to share a book and investigate print that surrounds us in our everyday lives. You may like to share a picture book, comic, magazine, poetry book, an information text… the list is endless!
· Make reading and looking at books fun – talk about the characters and
what might happen next
· Try to read with them daily – set aside a special time for reading together
· Discuss any areas they are interested in and try to provide books that follow
· Try to ensure your child has access to books in different rooms in the home
· If English is not your family’s first language, try to discuss books in any
language. Staff in school will support the children with reading in English
· Discuss your child’s progress with the school- if you need support with
reading in English, staff in school are more than happy to support the
family in any way they can. Opportunities for children to read in breakfast
club are also available daily
· Visit the library
We also hope that you will support us by encouraging your child to read their home
school book and have listed our expectations for home reading below. We use the Bug Club reading scheme by Pearson.
Every week children will choose a book from the library. Please spend time
sharing this book and reading it with your child.
We ask that parents read with their child at home as often as possible and record
comments in the reading journal – at least three comments a week please. Staff
change home reading books on a weekly basis. Every week children will choose a
book from the library. Please spend time sharing this book and reading
it with your child.
CLASS 1 & 2
The children are given one or two reading books a week and words to learn to
read or spell. We encourage the children to read with an adult as often as
possible and ask that comments are recorded in the reading journal – at least
three times a week please. Staff change home reading books on a weekly basis.
We encourage the children to read with an adult as often as possible and
ask that at least four comments from an adult are recorded in the reading journal
each week please. Children are also asked to keep a log of their own reading and
to make a record of their comments. Reading books are changed when an adult has
signed the reading log, or when the child has discussed the text with an adult in
school. Children are supported to change their own reading books.
CLASS 4, 5 and 6
Pupils are expected to record their own reading comments in their reading log and
make at least five comments a week please. Adult comments are always welcomed
and a weekly adult signature is required. The children change their own books when
their understanding has been checked by an adult, pupils need to make a written
comment about a book before they may change it.