How we teach Reading at Copeland Road Primary
The systematic teaching of phonics is a high priority throughout Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. At Copeland Road Primary School we teach phonics through the Read Write Inc. programme. Phonics is taught daily to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. In Years 4,5 & 6 pupils begin to use Project X Comprehension Express. This develops comprehension skills and helps children learn the 10 essential comprehension strategies that research shows are the most effective. These Comprehension strategies underpin our reading comprehension. All classes have a list of class texts ensuring that there is a variety of different types of texts being shared. There is also a variety of reading for pleasure books in each class.
Read Write Inc.
Staff systematically teach pupils using the Read Write Inc. programme enabling pupils to see the relationship between sounds and the written spelling patterns, or graphemes, which represent them. Phonics is delivered in different groups throughout EYFS and KS1, this ensures that pupils are at the correct group for their phonics ability and have regular assessments to ensure pupils are making progress.
We have high expectations for all pupils in our school, interventions take place for those children who are working below expected levels.
These are for pupils who are currently not on track to pass their phonics screening check, this is identified by the assessment which is used every six weeks.
Below are some documents which can support you reading with your child at home.
Project X Comprehension Express
In Years 4, 5 & 6 pupils begin to use Project X Comprehension Express. This develops comprehension skills and helps children learn the 10 essential comprehension strategies that research shows are the most effective. Within each lesson, there is a focus on these comprehension strategies. These tips support with comprehension in the wider curriculum or when reading for pleasure.
Each year group moves through stages, Stage 1 (Year 4), Stage 2(Year 5) and Year 6(Stage 3). In Stage 1 pupils begin with shorter texts and develop their understanding and use of the expert tips.
In Stage 2 the texts increase with more challenging vocabulary, syntax and text structures. Pupils develop skills in inference and higher-order comprehension.
In Stage 3 texts are in line with national reading tests. More complexity introduced, structure, syntax, vocabulary and comprehension skills which are required for tests.
Comprehension Express also supports metacognition through two strategies, think aloud and explain your thinking activities. These strategies are also used within each lesson.
Reading at home EYFS & KS1 Decodable books
Read Write Inc. Phonics Book Bag Books
School have invested in these books, these are short engaging books which match to exactly each child’s reading level, with only sounds which they are learning and are confident with. All Book Bag Books include notes for parents and carers on how to help their child at home with phonics. These include:
- Sound blending books for extra practice of blending the Set 1 Speed Sounds
- Black and White Storybooks (Red Ditty to Grey) – a take home copy of the Storybook read in class.
- Full-colour Fiction Book Bag Books (Red Ditty to Grey) – carefully matched to the Storybooks to reinforce classroom learning.
- Full-colour Non-fiction Book Bag Books (Yellow to Grey) – extend reading experience and ensure children are experiencing a wide range of books.
Reading at home KS2
Pupils continue to read using the book band schemes from Year 3 – Year 6. Library books are available for all pupils to take home, these can be read by the child or be a shared text between an adult and child.
Class teachers monitor reading at home by checking reading records at least twice a week. Staff ensure that those pupils who are not reading at home read twice a week in school with themselves.
When children leave Copeland Road Primary school we would like them to:
- Develop a love for reading and leave Copeland Road Primary School reading with accuracy and fluency, ensuring pupils have the reading strategies imbedded to become life long readers.
- Read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to gain knowledge of themselves and across the curriculum.
- Develop comprehension skills within each year groups using consistent comprehension strategies.
The long term plan for Reading is below as well as the National Curriculum. There may be changes to the long term plan as we continue to recover our curriculum after National lockdowns.
Copeland-Road-English-Long-Term-Plan
If you require any further information about Reading at our school please contact Miss Spenceley.
Lunchtime Library Sessions
The children from every class have access to the library every lunchtime. The children have the opportunity to change library books, read for pleasure as well as work on a computer in the study centre using the programmes Purple Mash or Reading Eggs. The library sessions have also created a variety of writing opportunities, the children have made book marks, wrote book reviews and recently came up with a number of suggestions including designing book covers and writing blurbs.
Reading for Pleasure
The children at Copeland Road love to read, from Reception to Year 6 every child is encouraged to read for pleasure. We recognise that reading is so important and reading a wide range of texts can improve the quality of children’s writing. The children designed book covers, wrote blurbs around their favourite stories and also wrote about why they enjoyed a particular book.
