Reading and Phonics - Copeland Road Primary

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.

English Policy

Read Write Inc. Phonics Programme

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.

Interventions 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.

RWI booklet for parents

RWI-Letter-formation-EYFS-Y1

What do Read Write Inc. lessons look like?

Our lessons start with a speed sound lesson this is where pupils learn or revise a previously taught sound with the help of Fred Frog, they then practice decoding and blending sounds to read words as pupils progress through the groups and become confident with their sounds and blending these into words they will then focus on reading these words speedily.

Pupils will spend five minutes each day to practice applying these sounds in their written work, the children will use their Fred fingers to help support them with their spellings.

After the speed sounds lesson, pupils have a non-fiction or fiction book that their work will focus around this week. During these lessons, pupils get plenty of opportunities to practice their reading skills, through using the sounds they know as well as learning trickier red words such as ‘the, are, all’ We spend a lot of time working with a partner to to read the book to ensure pupils become confident and fluent when reading. A copy of this book is also sent home in their home reading wallet so they can share what they have been reading in class.

Writing is also an important part of our reading lessons. Pupils spend time building up to our writing days. Pupils spend a lot of time discussing or written work with partners or as a group and sharing our ideas. We make sure that all pupils are able to give oral examples of sentences or ideas that they would like to include in their work.

There is also a linked text which is chosen carefully that links to the book that they have been reading with their phonics teacher this week. This is a reading for pleasure book that is read aloud by the teacher.

Photos of our Read Write Inc. Phonics lessons

Early Years & KS1 Home Reading

We have made changes to the reading books that we send home.

These new Read Write Inc. (RWI) books are texts which the school have invested in to support your child’s reading at home and that are matched exactly to your child’s phonics ability and sounds that they are learning in school. The RWI books are decodable which means that for every word that your child reads, they will know each sound and be able to decode, blend and read these books confidently. The books are uniquely matched to the phonics program we use and therefore reinforce the learning of phonics at the appropriate level, helping them to make rapid progress in their reading.

Please see the letters and instructions attached on how best to support your child.

Reception DB Letter Parents

Reception Reading Books Instructions

KS1 RWI Book Bag Instructions

KS1 DB Letter Parents

English Plans

The long term plan for Reading and Writing 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

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study

If you require any further information about Reading at our school please contact Miss Spenceley.

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 for pleasure

At Copeland Road Primary School, we read for pleasure daily in all classes. We make sure that pupils visit our school library regularly and every pupil is encouraged to read for pleasure. Pupils can take library books home to enjoy at home or in class. Some classes have reading corners that pupils enjoy reading in. . We want all pupils to develop a love of reading so we have ensure that teachers read quality texts daily and pupils have access to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts.

Reading for pleasure displays

World Book Day

Thank you to pupils, parents and staff for making such an effort with their World Book Day outfits. Everyone looked fantastic! We had a brilliant day celebrating reading. Here are some photos we would like to share from yesterday.

Yesterday afternoon pupils had the chance to listen to the teachers favourite short story books. We had a carousel and each class visited all of the teachers in their classroom. It was a lovely afternoon enjoyed by pupils and staff.

Ready Steady Read

Over the last two weeks we have managed to raise £525 from our sponsored read which is fantastic! Thank you to all those who have taken part and those who have sponsored pupils. We are very excited to buy some new books for each class!