How Reading Works in Early Years to KS1
At St Patrick's, we use 'Collins Big Cat' reading books that have be created for the 'Little Wandle' phonics programme. These books are fully decodeable and begin with wordless books and continue to the end of phase 5. Children begin with wordless books to develop their book handling skills and vocabulary, before moving onto worded books as they begin to recognise letters and blend CVC words. The book scheme works along side the 'Little Wandle' phonics programme. Our guided reading session use the same book four times a week to focus on the three key reading skills; decoding, prosody and comprehension. The books are matched to the child’s secure phonics knowledge using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment and book matching grids. Once children complete phase 5, and complete a fluency assessment, they then move onto the new Little Wandle fluency reading programme.
The texts that we use are engaging and fun, and include a range of fiction, poetry and non-fiction texts.
Daily Reading Sessions
Children read in small groups with a trained adult, reading a book linked to their stage of phonics which they use for the full week. Having the same book for a week improves fluency and confidence in their reading abilities. The sessions develop their skills of de-coding, prosody (expression) and comprehension. Within these sessions children also have activities that help them practise their tricky words and letter recognition. These session are well planned, structured and most importantly fun. Children have the reading routine embedded and there is consistency across all groups.
Reading in KS2
Children continue to read the Little Wandle fluency books in Year 3. Once children have completed the Little Wandle scheme, children can then choose a reading book of their choice matched to their ability. All children take home a pleasure reader book to enjoy and they are encouraged to read at home as often as possible. All children have a class guided reading book, and complete comprehension activities each week based on this book. Our reading intervention teacher, works with any children who may need some extra reading support , daily.
Our School Library
The May Daly Library
Located in the centre of our school is our wonderful library. This library was funded by a former teacher, May Daly, who bequeathed a sum of money to St Patrick's in the hope that it would have an impact on the young lives of our children...what could be more beneficial and enrich their lives than a library!
Our library is a very special place to go. Children visit it regularly - with their class, at lunch/ breaktime with friends, and we even have book clubs in there after school. It is a well-stocked library, containing texts from the classics to non-fiction books about the war! Our Year 6 librarians are keen to support children when they come to visit the library, often making suggestions on a good book. These librarians are also excellent at keeping all the books in the correct system.
Reading For Pleasure
At St Patricks, we strive to promote a love of reading in all that we do. We believe that being a fluent and avid reader opens doors for children to the wider world and helps them to become life long learners. All children take home pleasure reader books; these are books that children can read themselves or books for adults to read to children. Adults read daily to children in class, and the texts are chosen by staff and children!
Children visit our school library, as well as our local library. The library van visits us each half term and children get the time to explore the different books on offer and the excitement that sharing a books brings.
Every year, we celebrate World Book Day. We focus on 1 book across the school, which we interpret and represent in many different ways. Our work is then displayed at our local library in Cleator Moor for everybody to enjoy.
Reading Policy