1. Reading at Brightwalton Reading for enjoyment is encouraged and fostered. Reading is taught in small groups. Reading skills are applied across the whole Curriculum. Reading skills practice is supported by parents at home.

2. Reading environment Reading is high profile in every classroom: Reading corners/libraries Topic related texts Guided reading and follow up activities

3. Reading curriculum Guided Reading lessons Reading is embedded across the Curriculum

4. What is guided reading? Children work in groups of 4-6 with the teacher. The focus is split between learning how to read and developing a range of comprehension and ‘higher order’ reading skills.

5. Why is Guided Reading an essential element? In guided reading the teacher has an explicit teaching role. It is efficient because the teacher can provide guidance to a group rather than one by one. Also, by working together, children can learn from each other, discussing texts and putting their heads together to find information. Hobsbaum, Gamble & Reedy – Guiding Reading

6. Reading at home Children will have a home reading book. Reading journal – record texts children have read Regular opportunities to choose and borrow books from the school library.

7. School reading books. Books are organised into coloured book bands which reflect reading development across a range of skills and compliment the phonics phase and fluency level your child has reached. Your child’s teacher will inform you of which colour band your child is on, and when they are ready to change bands.

8. Listening to your child read Introduce the book, title, characters and theme. ‘Walk through’ the book, identifying plot events and pointing out difficult vocabulary. Ask questions about the text – simple recall, deduction from given facts and inference of meaning from a variety of sources.

9. Strategies to support your child with reading. Phonics- If they can sound the word out using the phonics they know then encourage this as the first strategy Use the picture as a clue (this is not cheating!) Combine picture clues along with the initial letter in the word. Predict what the word could be from the context or grammar.

10. Encouraging a love of reading Encourage children to choose a book they’d like to read. Read children’s favourite books again and again to encourage them to learn new words through repetition. Have a regular story time within your child’s routine. Share your favourite books with your child and talk about why you like them. Make up stories together, story time doesn't always have to involve a book! Take it in turns to read with your child. Tell them what you enjoyed about listening to them read.

11. Supporting older children Talk about the books they are bringing home to read. Make sure they are completing any assigned reading homework. Listen to your child read a page of the text. Then let them read a section alone. Discuss the setting, plot, characters, language used and the meanings the author is trying to convey.

12. Important Talk to your child’s class teacher about any concerns you have regarding their reading. They will be able to give you practical advice and ideas to support your child at home.