English

English is a thread that runs throughout all aspects of our curriculum.  Children continuously have opportunities to use and develop speaking and listening strategies as they learn to become effective and respectful communicators.

Reading

Early Reading

As from January 2022 we are using a new phonics scheme called Little Wandle which is based on our previous scheme of ‘Letters and Sounds’.  Phonics is a core aspect of developing early reading in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, with phonics lessons taking place daily.  Additional phonics interventions take place across KS1 and Year 3 for those children who require additional support for phonics.

In Reception and KS1 the children's reading books are closely aligned to the phonics knowledge the children are learning or have previously learnt.  Although this book may seem easy for your child to read, it is carefully selected so that your child can read about 95% of the book fluently.  From Year 1 onwards your child will also take home a second reading book.  This book may be too difficult for your child to read fluently on their own and we ask parents to enjoy reading this book together with your child.

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.  As mentioned above there are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

1. A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

2. A sharing book.  Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.  WE encourage you to listen to your child reads this book several times to develop fluency and expression.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Please follow this link for support on how to correctly say to correct letter sounds:  https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

Able Reading

Once children are secure in Phase 6, they progress into our ‘Accelerated Reading Scheme’.  Accelerated Reading (AR) is used by all children until they leave at the end of Year 6.  Those children who move to Sponne continue to access AR.  All reading books in the library are banded and children take a termly ‘Star Test’ to review their progress and determine which band the child can access.  After every book the children take a short quiz on the iPad to review their understanding of the book.  This tests the comprehension skills, not the reading fluency skills.

Book talk is our approach to guided reading.  These session focus on developing reading comprehension skills.  Each lesson focuses on a particular aspect of VIPERS (Vocabulary, Inference, Prediction, Explanation, Retrieval and Summary/Sequence)

100 books to read before you leave Silverstone CE Primary School

100 books to read before you leave Silverstone CE Primary School is the carefully selected range of texts we believe form the ultimate book list that ALL children should experience before they leave our school. 

In our school, we prioritise the teaching of reading: word reading and reading comprehension.  Reading is identified as a key priority. Our intent is that all children will be able to read effectively when they leave our school and that we will have embedded a life-long love of reading within our children. 

Our teachers have worked together, and each year group has created a ‘book list’ of recommended reads, with an additional bonus list of books, which represent our school values.   

We would encourage everyone to use this book list as a guide to help your child find books they will love to read for pleasure at home. Can you read them all? 

Writing

All year groups apart from Reception and Year 1 learn writing through genre coverage.  Each unit of work lasts between 2 or 3 weeks.  During each genre unit the children are exposed to quality age appropriate modelled text.  Children use the modelled text to ‘reverse plan’ and identify the key ingredients and components of the genre.  The reverse plan is then used to support children to plan their own independent writing.

Working walls are a prominent feature in each classroom.  Teachers use these wall to model work during the learning journey of each genre.  Children use the working walls to support their understanding and independence when writing.