READING
Reading - by Darcy aged 7
READING
'Learning God's Way'
At St Mary's reading is at the heart of all we do. In KS1 the children learn to read using the Read, Write Inc phonics program and in KS2 we use Reading for Meaning and Cracking Comprehension to develop our understanding of the text. Please visit our Phonics area to learn more about Read, Write Inc. (Link Below) and our Reading Policy sets out how we teach Reading in school. As a School we use Oxford Reading Tree as our school reading scheme.
Reading at St Mary's - Intent, Implementation and Impact
Link to our Phonics’ Page
Reading schemes we use.
KS1 and EYFS
Children are given a home reading book matched to their ability and this is changed 2x a week. Communication on progress at home and in school can be recorded in their red reading diary *These follow the Oxford Reading Tree book band system and expectations can be seen in the diagram below. All children enjoy reading together with an adult throughout the week with the bottom 20% of readers being read with daily to ensure they reach age expected expectations.
*Oxford reading tree book band level guide
KS2
Individual reading: We use the Oxford reading tree/Rigby books in KS2 with children progressing through the books and changing them under the instruction of the class teacher. They have a class reading book that is taken from this scheme that they use to read to an adult in school but they are free to bring in a free reading book that they can use when reading for pleasure. Please see a copy of the expected levels for KS2 readers below:
Parents' Support
Please find a link to the Reading Viper Questions below. These are really helpful and will support you when reading with your children.
Outside Library
Our 'Reading Champions' have created an outside library for the summer. It has been a real success and enjoyed by many children who love to relax and read on the field.
Book Swap at St Mary's
Please come and use our Free Book Swap scheme outside the office. All you need to do is bring in a book that your child has read, that you no longer want to keep and swap it for one you haven't read. Simple!
Exciting Reading at St Mary's
In the Autumn Term we had the amazing Stephanie Austwick in school. She spent some time helping our teachers, teaching assistants and parents understand how to support our children when reading. The notes from her sessions can be found below.
We have also had a visit from Steve Clifford an amazing author who worked with our older children developing their writing skills and their love of reading. His books were wonderful and we had a very productive day. Please take a look at a photos of the day below and there also a link to his website.
The children love to listen to each other read and this term Year 6 have been holding a Friday afternoon Story-time club. This is a club that they organise themselves. They choose a story, read or act it to KS1 children and then provide related activities. It has proven very successful and is enjoyed by all the children that attend.
In the Spring Term, St Mary's took part in World Book day. We held a whole school book quiz and the children were encouraged to develop their love of reading by supporting each other and recommending their favourite books.
At the end of the Spring half term we held a Cosy Read. Parents, Grandparents and children were invited into the hall to sit and spend some quality time reading together. It was a lovely way to end a busy half term.
