Reading

Reading

We will ensure that all pupils can read easily, fluently and with good understanding and develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information. We want all children to acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language in addition to appreciating our rich and varied literary heritage.  

Since ensuring our termly text links to our topic and by planning more creatively, we have noticed our children are more engaged than ever before with reading and their love for it. This has, hand in hand, developed not only their reading skills but their understanding. We also use VIPERS (vocabulary, inference, prediction, explaining, retrieve, summarise and sequence) which are key skills taught to our children to help find the deeper meaning of a passage. We are passionate about shared reading and as adults, we read to the children daily. We also give the children time to read within daily 'DEAR' time (drop everything and read) which has proved very successful to enhance a love for reading. 

We use Accelerated Reader daily giving pupils the opportunity to quiz on books they read independently, to peers and adults both in school and at home.  All genres of texts are covered, therefore allowing all pupils to participate enthusiastically. They are eager to finish a book cover to cover and to quiz using the class devices working towards meeting their 85% accuracy target. Termly certificates are awarded for all pupils meeting the 85% benchmark. 

Teachers hear all pupils in their class fortnightly with our lowest 20% of readers being heard more frequently by other adults including teaching assistants and volunteers. We also have an intensive intervention programme in place for those significantly below their peers. 

Author Visits and Book Day

Throughout the school year, we hold events to help introduce children to a wide range of authors and writing styles; these days consist of fun activities to help foster a love and enjoyment of reading. We also try and invite authors to come in to our school and join virtual workshops and "an audience with" sessions to enhance our pupils' love of reading. 

Our School Library

In the words of our pupils, the school library is an "exciting" and also "relaxing" place to be! We ensure our library is up-to-date with current choices and endeavour to restock literature yearly. This includes class libraries also. The library is open at lunchtimes for book clubs and for children to browse texts which they are unable to find within their class library. 

We have a close relationship with Rainham Library and have previously organised weekly year group visits. This gave a cohort of children the ability to visit the library on a regular basis and allowing them the opportunity to select, sign out and change books of their choice independently. The education team at Medway also deliver schools assemblies three times a year.