English- Reading
Intent
At Marlcliffe, we believe that reading should be, primarily, for pleasure. We recognise the importance of research linking reading with future economic success. We believe that fluent reading underpins all learning across the curriculum, and that children cannot reach their full potential without it. We also recognise the importance of a healthy reading life in promoting inclusion and tolerance. We want our children to be independent, enthused, and informed readers who not only use their reading skills to succeed at school, but to support their well-being throughout their lives.
Implementation
Little Wandle provides a robust framework for the teaching of reading across KS1 and beyond where necessary. Once children are reading fluently and at an age-appropriate level, they are encouraged to select appropriate books to read at home. Children who require additional support with reading continue to be provided with banded books, as well as having access to a ‘free choice’ within school. We select high-quality class novels to read in class following a ‘novel study’ approach, and plan English activities related to these. We practise comprehension skills in guided reading sessions. All children are encouraged to read aloud during these sessions, and children who are less confident are supported through 1-2-1 and/or small group interventions.
We provide a range of tempting, engaging texts across a range of genres and by a diverse range of authors to ‘hook’ children and foster a lifelong love of reading. Each year group/phase has a list of recommended reads featuring contemporary and ‘classic’ books, and which promotes diversity through author choice and subject matter. Staff read to the children daily, and our Book Club sessions provide opportunities for ‘book talk’.
Impact
Our reading curriculum aims, first and foremost, to foster a lifelong love of reading, as well as several key skills. A strong phonemic awareness will give all children the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken words. In applying their phonic knowledge, children will understand the relationship between letters and their sounds to decode words. Reading smoothly and accurately at an appropriate pace will aid enjoyment of reading as well as support understanding. Our children will expand their vocabulary, supporting the understanding and interpreting of texts, and will be able to make predictions and draw conclusions.