English - Reading

“There is so much more to a book than just the reading.”

Maurice Sendak

Early Reading 

We use Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds to teach phonics and early reading from Early Years. 

Colour banded reading books

Once children have passed the Phonics Screening Check, and are secure in their Phase 5 sounds, they will be offered a colour banded reading book. A colour reading book has been assessed based on its vocabulary, narrative, themes and subject; each book is then allocated a book band colour. Pupils may be allocated a colour band, and then at the discretion of their teacher, will progress through the banded colours as they gain confidence. Due to the choices available within each colour band, pupils should be able to find books which appeal to them at each stage. Having a colour banded book will provide pupils with the opportunity to read for pleasure regardless of the stage of their reading journey. Colour banded books will be monitored by a pupil’s class teacher following regular reading assessments. Children can change books within the colour band as and when appropriate to them. Teachers will inform parents and children if they need to select books from a different colour banding using the reading record book.

Reading in Key Stage 2

Accelerated Reader will be used by pupils from Year 3 - 6. It is a computer program that supports teachers in managing and monitor pupil’s independent reading practice.

Pupils choose books to read based on their personalised ZPD which is generated after completing a short computerised reading assessment, known as Star Reader, that uses computer-adaptive technology. Children complete Star Reader tests once every short term so that their ZPD numbers are a true reflection of their current reading ability using real-time data at different points in the school year.

When pupils have finished reading a book from within their book range, they take a short quiz on the computer (passing the quiz is an indication that the pupil has understood what was read). AR gives both pupils and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then use to help set targets and direct ongoing reading practice.

Every book that has an AR Reading Practice Quiz is given a point value. AR points are computed based on the difficulty of the book and the length of the book. Pupils earn points, or a portion of a book’s points, depending on how well they do on the Reading Practice Quiz.

We celebrate pupils’ success in reading in a variety of ways including rewarding those that have read 1,000,000 words. Each year, we take part enthusiastically in World Book Day celebrations too.

Mrs Sam Campbell - English Lead