Supporting Reading at Home
We feel strongly at Shaldon Primary School that reading is fundamental to a child’s future success. Not only does it give children access to a wide, rich curriculum, but it is a source of comfort, solace and entry to a vivid imaginary world.
Every day, children are taught to read as well as being read to by their teacher. We have a curriculum that is based on reading a wide range of materials across all curriculum subjects. Therefore, we feel it is essential that we provide our parent and carers with all the information they need to support children to become life-long, dedicated readers.
From phonics to classic novels and beyond, you will find the resources, links and advice you need to help your child become not only a fluent reader, but to develop a life-long love of reading for pleasure.
To start, we recommend you read our booklet on how to support your child with reading. Then for more specific information, see the links below.
Phonics
At Shaldon Primary School, we use the Read, Write Inc Phonics scheme. This SSP will launch in September 2023. We have chosen to adopt this scheme, given its robust focus on reading fluency and developing reader confidence. Our Phonics Lead is our highly experienced EYFS teacher, Mrs Jones-Whyte.
From starting in Reception Class, children are taught that sounds are represented by letters (individual letters or groups of letters). They are taught these sounds in a certain order, and we expect that children have learnt all the sounds up to Phase 4 (Stage 12) by the end of Reception, and all of Phase 5 (Stage 27), by the end of Year One. This guide takes you through how we teach phonics and how you can support your child at home:
Here is a link from the Oxford Owl website, which shows you how to pronounce sounds in the same way your child is taught at school: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/
These phonics mats can be used at home as a quick reminder for your child. You might want to go over the sounds with your child before you read their decodable phonics book.
The tracking sheet attached shows you how we keep a record of the sounds that children have mastered. This helps us to ensure that reading books are closely matched with the sounds they know. This also means that we can quickly identify and provide extra support for any child who needs it.
As mentioned previously, Phonics Bug provides a range of exciting books, matched to the sounds children have learnt in school, so that they can keep on practising their phonics. We really feel that children cannot practise enough! They also practise their phonics when writing, reading with adults in school and through independent learning, indoors and outdoors.
Children will bring home two reading books, along with their reading record. One reading book is linked to your child’s phonics stage (Phonics Bug) and another is a picture book for you to read with/to your child. Please see the following guide on completing your child’s Reading Record:
In June, children in Year 1 will take the Phonics Screening Check. The below guide explains more about this:
We recognise that the Phonics Screening Check is an indicator of children being at the right stage for their age. However, in Year 2 and beyond, some children may still need more practice of their phonics. We split the children into groups for their reading lessons in Year 2, so that we can ensure all children are getting the support they need. This may mean that some children are having a phonics session, whilst others are having a comprehension-based lesson. In other year groups, children who need support with their phonics would have additional phonics lessons in groups or on a 1:1 basis, depending on level of need. We will always work with you to keep you informed of your child’s progress. If you have any concerns about your child’s reading, please do not hesitate to contact us.