Reading Lead - Mrs Amelia Goodson-Smith (AHT)

Reading

Reading is an essential life skill, which should be nurtured and actively encouraged in school. Children have a range of texts available to them during their time at Oldfield.

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 and are organised into different genres and themes.

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.

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, this 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. ReadTalk! is sent to Parents/Carers on a termly basis, or it can be found below.

KS2 Book Club

As of March 2022 we have run monthly book clubs for Year 3, Year 4 and Year 5 (please note not all years will take part at the same time). Maidenhead Library support this club by providing multiple copies of popular texts to read. At the end of each month the children meet to discuss the book. A book rating is generated and shared on the school book club board.

So far we have read the following texts:

March 2022 - Year 3 - Fizzlebert Stump: The boy who ran away from the circus (and joined the library) by A. F. Harold

April 2022 - Year 3 - The world according to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney

                   Year 5 - Song of the Dolphin Boy by Elizabeth Laird

May 2022 - Year 3 - Secret Agent Mummy. The Cleopatra case by Steve Cole

                  Year 4 and 5 - How to train your dragon by Cressida Cowell

2022/2023

September 2022 - Year 3 - Mr Dog and the Rabbit Habit by Ben Fogle

                               Year 5 - The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips by Michael Morpurgo

Playground books in Reception

In Reception the children have reading books and outdoor cushions to encourage reading at break and lunchtimes. The children love having the books out and enjoying the good weather while reading their favourite story.

The children have used their reading knowledge from the Little Wandle reading sessions during their breaktime. Well done!

Handouts

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