​Reading Lead - Miss Emma Smith (AHT) 

Reading

Reading is an essential life skill which is nurtured and actively encouraged in our school. Children will experience a range of texts throughout their time at Oldfield and will have opportunities to share their love of reading through World Book Days, reading assemblies, theatre visits, pantomime shows, library visits and author visits amongst other things. 

Reading books

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have phonetically matched Little Wandle books as well as a weekly reading for pleasure book to be shared at home with an adult. Once children in Year 2 complete the Little Wandle reading scheme, they move onto free choice books in their classrooms to encourage reading for pleasure and self-selection.

In KS2, children have the opportunity to change their reading books freely with Teachers and TAs on hand to support their selections and guide them into different genres to expand their love of reading further. Within their class/year group libraries, children have books from a range of authors which are organised into different genres and themes.

To support children with their self selection, we encourage them to use the 5-finger rule to ensure their book is 'just right' so they have just enough challenge to expand their knowledge and skills.

In Years 1 - 6 each class has a nominated librarian. The role of the librarian is to encourage a range of reading within the classroom, organise the book corners and recommend books to their peers. The class librarian is rotated on a termly basis, to allow a range of children to enjoy the experience.

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Reading as part of our English curriculum

As of September 2022, we have updated and amended our Reading/English curriculum. Each year group has a specific Reading Spine to follow throughout the year which is supported by the Whole School Reading Curriculum. English lessons are planned and based around the Key Text (more information on the Writing Curriculum page). When choosing the key texts we wanted to ensure that a range of authors, poets and themes were covered to reflect our school community.

Teachers are given a selection of supporting texts to develop their understanding of the key text, comparing and contrasting similar books, non-fiction links as well as related poems, songs and rhymes. Supporting texts have been added to as Amazon Wishlist (https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/IX2K58WN9T8L?ref_=wl_share) which parents/carers are able to donate a book/s through. Both the Whole School Reading Spine and Whole School Reading Curriculum can be viewed below.

BookTalk! - Reading Newsletter

In order to support our school community, we publish a termly Reading Newsletter - BookTalk! Within the newsletter we provide hints and tips to support and encourage reading, a termly competition, recommended reads from Teachers/TAs and Pupils, author information from our Key Text authors and other additional information. BookTalk! is sent to Parents/Carers on a termly basis and can be found below in the links.

Playground books

In Reception, the children have reading books and outdoor cushions to encourage reading at break and lunchtimes. Children love having books out and enjoying the good weather whilst reading their favourite story or, as it gets colder, choosing a book to snuggle with in the warm. Similarly, in both key stage one and two playgrounds, there is a choice of books available for children to select from our playground book corners. Perfect if they fancy a quiet moment for themselves or to share with friends. Playground readers! We have some wonderful reading volunteers from ks2, who come to the ks1 playground with their box of books and  read  to our key stage 1 pupils at lunch times. 

Our school library

Every class has the opportunity to visit the school library once a week, where they have free-choice from the shelves and guidance from our dedicated reading volunteer - Mrs Gina Botterill. The shelves are lovingly looked after and are updated each year with fresh books from Maidenhead Library Services.

Handouts

Please find below letters, PowerPoints, leaflets and resources which relate to the teaching and learning of reading and phonics at Oldfield.