Reading and PhonicsLearning to read is the most important thing your child will learn at school. Everything else depends on it, so we put as much energy as we possibly can into making sure that every single child learns to read as quickly as possible. We want your child to love reading – and to want to read for themselves.
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How will my child be taught to read?
In Reception and KS1 we teach reading through the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme. We start by teaching phonics to the children in the foundation stage. This means that they learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn to spell well. We teach the children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters. Ask them to show you what these are. The children also practise reading (and spelling) what we call ‘tricky words’, such as ‘once,’ ‘have,’ ‘said’ and ‘where’. The children practise their reading with books that match the phonics and the ‘tricky words’ they know. They start thinking that they can read and this does wonders for their confidence. |
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Shared Reading |
Guided Reading |
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During shared reading, the teacher models the reading strategies and the thought processes needed for children to become independent readers.
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Guided reading occurs outside the English session and is based on a rotation during the week within the class. Children are grouped according to ability and when not reading with an adult, consolidate and apply the reading skills they have been taught through a range of learning opportunities. These include comprehensions, book reviews, spelling, word games and independent reading.
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Must ReadsEach class has a set of ‘Must Reads’; an exciting selection of high quality texts recommended by the Tower Hamlets Schools Library Service. Children are challenged to read all 10 Must Reads over the course of the year.
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Home ReadingAll children from nursery through to year 6 are expected to take books home regularly to develop a love of books, practice their reading skills and explore different genres. Each child has a book bag and a reading record book that they bring to school every day. We ask parents to listen to their children read and read to them each evening. We understand that for some parents this may be challenging if English is not their first language. We are happy for other family members or siblings to support children and we also encourage parents to use their first language to discuss books as this supports learning.
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