1. Reading at Gawsworth: Read Write Inc. We all know that reading opens the door to all learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns the more a child wants to find out. It is, therefore, vital that your child finds learning to read and write a rewarding and successful experience and at Gawsworth we strive to ensure that this is the case.

2. Reading at Gawsworth: Read Write Inc. In The Early Years Foundation Stage and KS1 children at Gawsworth are taught to read using a phonetic scheme called ‘Read Write Inc’. The children are first introduced to the Set 1 Speed Sounds, so that they can CVC word build. They are then introduced to the key digraphs and trigraphs using the Set 2 Speed Sounds and then the multiple ways of making the key sounds using the Set 3 Speed sounds. The following key strategies are also used to teach reading: Freddie Phonics and his ‘Fred Rhythms’ helps children to decode words. Learn something new, review, review, review. Becoming independent learners – encouraging independence without a fear of making mistakes by learning alongside our ‘mistake monsters’. Encouraging children to play & extend vocabulary in context through the use of power adjectives and power verbs.

3. Reading at Gawsworth: Read Write Inc. ‘Read Write Inc.’ books are sent home to read alongside other ability banded reading scheme books to aid discussion about the strategies we use in school between the children and parents. In Year 1 a Literacy Pack is sent home detailing the key strategies we use in school and how to support the children consistently at home. The close link between reading and writing is further supported through the use of ‘Read Write Inc.’ as the phonic skills being used to encode are applied in the children’s written work using ‘Fred Fingers’.

4. Reading at Gawsworth From very early on reading is a strength at Gawsworth but we constantly strive to improve the children’s experiences of reading even further. The children said that they would like to see…

5. “…exciting books!!!” …a wide range of interesting authors By far, the overwhelming view of the children is that they want to read exciting books, by real authors who they have discovered - such as Michael Morpurgo, Roald Dahl, Anne Fine etc. Many of the boys want more “action-packed” books to interest them and to inspire them to read more.

6. Reading for Pleasure Encouraging children to develop a genuine love of reading. We have developed an exciting reading library for Key Stage Two children to select books from. Children are tested at the start of the year to establish their current reading age and they select books from a section of the library which caters for their reading ability.

7. Reading for Pleasure How is the library structured? Books are banded into colours which equate to age bands like those seen in book shops such as Waterstones. Orange/Green – Early Independent Readers Orange/Purple – “ “ “ “ Orange – Reading Age 7-8 Blue – Reading Age 8-9 Yellow – Reading Age 9-10 Green – Reading Age 10-11 A white sticker alongside these labels indicates a factual book within the age band.

8. Reading for Pleasure Choosing a book The children can select a new book when they wish to. They have a Reading Diary in lower KS2 and a Recording Sheet in upper KS2. There will be a variation of books within a given level and your child, at times, may need some support with their reading book. If a child sees a book from a different level that they are keen to read, they will be encouraged to select it. This may mean a child reading a less challenging book for enjoyment or sharing a more challenging text with their parents/grandparents, promoting further, the ethos of reading for pleasure.

9. Reading for Pleasure Home –School Links We have purchased a computerised system for the library similar to those seen in public libraries. Children have their books ‘scanned’ to register that they have borrowed them from the library. This enables staff to further monitor books being read. There is a link on the Learning Platform for parents to access the system in order to monitor their child’s reading and to view reading books available for the children to choose from.

10. Teaching of Reading How will reading be taught at Gawsworth? We use a structured reading scheme called ‘Project X’ in Lower Key Stage Two which is designed to enthuse and motivate primary school readers of the twenty first century. Your child will work in a group of children, who are all reading at a similar level to themselves, on books from ‘Project X’ and they will complete various follow up tasks based on the texts read. Other reading materials will also be used within literacy lessons to support topics being taught at a given time. This topic linked approach to reading is continued throughout Upper Key Stage Two supported by more in depth analysis of texts required for more mature readers.

11. Teaching of Reading Assessment This structured approach to reading within school will allow teachers to monitor and assess progress made by the children even more effectively. This will be supplemented by other assessment materials such as reading comprehensions.