Reading
At Keyworth Primary and Nursery School, we believe that reading is the key to unlocking exciting worlds and powerful knowledge for all. Reading is fundamental to our pupils becoming successful and independent learners and we are excited to be a part of their reading journey. Reading is the vehicle through which children access many other areas of the curriculum and subsequently can open the door to many other aspects in the wider world.
Throughout their time at KPNS, children’s reading diet will allow them to experience and discuss a wide range of texts including poetry, non-fiction and fiction. This reading journey and the texts within it have been carefully planned and sequenced to ensure the intentional and cohesive building of cultural capital in which children have both read and made links between a wide range of texts.
Phonics
We ensure that daily, high quality, systematic, discrete phonics teaching is delivered consistently across our school. At KPNS, we follow the Read Write Inc. programme to teach phonics and children start this programme when they start school in Reception. Or for some children, when they join us in Nursery.
For more information regarding Read Write Inc., click here
Reading Books
Whilst your child is learning their initial sounds in Reception, they will bring home a 'Reading for Pleasure' picture book in their book bag which will be changed each week. This will give them the opportunity to develop a range of important reading skills. They will also bring home some sound cards so that they can begin to learn their initial sounds. Once your child can blend the sounds they know to read words, they will bring home a Read Write Inc. book bag book. Children should practise reading this book regularly so that they can read the book confidently, fluently and independently.
When children have completed the Read Write Inc. phonics programme, they will bring home a book selected from our library - a short assessment completed in school will ensure that these books are matched to their reading ability and age. Children are encouraged to make notes in their home/school book when reading at home.
As children progress through school, they will have 3 x weekly lessons designed to improve their reading fluency and comprehension. These lessons are focussed on an age appropriate text that is often linked to their topic. During these sessions children will use 'echo' reading, designed to improve reading fluency and pace, explore and learn new and challenging vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of the text allowing them to answer increasingly complex comprehension questions.
Love of Reading
Reading is necessary for learning, so instilling a love of reading at an early age is the key that unlocks the door to lifelong learning. Reading aloud presents books as sources of exciting experiences for children to remember. Instilling a love of reading early gives a child a head start on expanding their vocabulary and building independence and self-confidence. It helps children learn to make sense of the world and people around them, develop social and emotional skills as well as feed their imagination.
In addition to their Read Write Inc. book bag book, pupils will also select a ‘Reading for Pleasure’ book from a selection of age appropriate books to read with an adult at home. These books should be read by an adult and enjoyed together during ‘story time’ to develop a love of reading.
We work closely with parents and carers to promote the importance of sharing stories and how this can be done to ensure the greatest impact for their children.
To encourage children to read on a daily basis and increase their 'reading miles', we open the school early at 8.30am each day for 'Blaize's Reading Lair, inviting families to come to read with their children before school. Children in Y5&6 can come alone . Every time a child attends, they earn a stamp and regular attenders earn a special treat at the end. of each term.
All children in school work towards their Reading Awards - Bronze, Silver and Gold. These awards are presented in assemblies when children have completed a set of reading challenges that have been designed by the children themselves. See below for more information.
Please see the below links for further information on how to support your child with reading.
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books-and-reading/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDe74j1F52zSCiOMSn3zQDSzgu9TrbQ1c