Broomfields Junior School

At Broomfields Junior School, we believe that reading is the key to academic success and it is our intention to ensure that, by the end of their primary education, our pupils all move onto their next stage of education being able to read fluently, confidently and with understanding. A love of literature contributes not just to language and literacy development, it is also of immense personal and social value.

We intend to encourage all pupils to read a varied range of texts from both fiction, non-fiction and poetry, to develop not only their reading ability, but also their knowledge of the wider world they live in and to develop comprehension skills. It is also our aim to instil into our pupils a real sense of enjoyment for reading to ensure that they go on to be lifelong readers.

In order for children to become lifelong, confident readers, children need a combination of good word reading and language comprehension which require different sorts of teaching. At first, children’s understanding of language is developed through their listening and speaking, while they are taught to decode words phonetically.

When children can read most words ‘at a glance’ and can decode unfamiliar words easily, they are free to think about the meaning of what they have read.  We then develop their understanding of language through their reading.

Learning to read begins on the laps of parents when they share stories with their child, we ensure that this important message around the engagement of parents in their child’s reading journey is clear from the very moment they choose our school as the place where they wish their child to be educated. Clarification around parental engagement in their child’s reading development is given through:

• information relayed during parents’ evenings
• clear expectations on listening to their child read at home and recording this in the reading records
• information around supporting children with reading at home on the school website

(can this be added if it is not already in the parents’ area?  It is the guidance from The Reading Framework)

Further guidance is available: 10 top tips for parents to support children to read - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Methodology

Within Pathways to Read, there is a clear teaching focus with the opportunity to master key reading skills in the session and other sessions in the half term. There are follow on reading tasks to enable pupils to evidence the skills they have mastered independently.

A variety of ways to read are practised and adapted for the needs of the class. In autumn, teacher modelling intonation and pace of reading is planned more regularly. As pupils move through the programme, more paired and independent reading in the whole class section will be practised.  Teachers also plan in time to facilitate timed speed reads to develop pace.

These are the recommended reading practices:

• Teacher reads aloud to model intonation and fluency while pupils are following the text
• Teacher reads aloud to model intonation while pupils are reading aloud alongside the teacher
• Pupils read in pairs quietly (same or mixed ability) – supportive role to be carried out where appropriate
• Pupils read the text silently at own pace
• Pupils read a section of text in an allocated time to improve fluency

Click on the Twitter logo to see our latest Reading Tweets.  #broomfieldsreading

How to promote reading at home

Visit this website for how to encourage a love for reading at home Tips for reading with your child | BookTrust. No matter what age or level of reader your child is, these top tips will develop a love for reading 10 top tips for parents to support children to read - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Books suggested by these websites could introduce your child to a breadth of literature:

• For links to all UK book award lists for 2021, visit Children's literature awards - our rundown of shortlists to follow (schoolreadinglist.co.uk)
• Involve your child in selecting books by following the interactive steps about their likes on this website Bookfinder: find children's books for every age | BookTrust
• This website lists the best books in 2021 by age Our picks of the best children's books coming out in spring 2021 (schoolreadinglist.co.uk)
• LoveReading4Kids Loves is a website that you can create a free login for, browse for books, and some books might have a chapter that you can download online for free too.

Local libraries are a vital resource – free membership, free books.

How Do I Join the Library? - Libraries | LiveWire Warrington

When you join online for free, they will record your details and prepare a membership card for you. Visit your local LiveWire library (Stockton Heath) to collect your card and PIN. Once the card has been collected, you are then able to access the online services as well as borrow books.