Curriculum - Reading and Phonics
At Bridgtown school our aim is for all children to develop the necessary skills to enable them to become literate, contributing, participating adults. Reading is at the heart of the curriculum at Bridgtown. Through high quality texts and inspiring learning opportunities, our aim is to help pupils gain a life-long enjoyment of reading and books. This includes the ability to read accurately, fluently and with understanding. Our systematic approach will enable them to apply a knowledge of synthetic phonics in order to decode unfamiliar words with increasing accuracy and speed this will ensure that they will be able to read with expression, clarity and confidence; develop a good linguistic knowledge of vocabulary and grammar as well as the ability to read and respond to a wide range of different types of texts.
Early Reading and Phonics
At Bridgtown Primary School we use the Read Write Inc programme in Nursery, Reception and Key Stage 1. Read Write Inc includes a systematic and dynamic whole-school approach to teaching phonics. The programme teaches pupils to read accurately and fluently with good comprehension. They learn each of the 40+ sounds and blend these sounds into words, then progress to reading the same sounds with alternative graphemes. Pupils learn to form each letter, spell correctly including common exception (red) words and compose their own ideas step by step. We make sure that children read books that are closely matches to their knowledge of phonics. This is to ensure that they succeed early and develop self-assurance in their ability to read. Their increasing fluency in decoding is supported by rereading and discussing these books.
- In reception pupils are taught using Read Write Inc. This involves a discrete daily phonic session. Pupils are grouped according to their strengths. The session times may vary; this is dependent upon the stage of the programme.
- The phonic and reading skills learned in reception are built upon in Key Stage One. Pupils are grouped according to their ability regardless of age. The phonics and reading aspects of the programme are taught in daily sessions.
Within KS2, some children are supported in developing their reading skills by completing the Toe by Toe Programme.
What is Read Write Inc?
Reading Spine
Our aim at Bridgtown Primary is to give children access to a variety of texts. Reading lessons, one-on-one reading, or class novels all contribute to this. Our goal is to expose children to a language rich environment. High quality texts have been chosen to challenge and inspire students' thinking and serve as a catalyst for the teaching of writing, grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Below is a summary of the class texts for our entire school:
Progression Grid
At Bridgtown Primary we work hard to ensure there is a progression of skills for each pupil as they move from Early Years to Upper Key Stage Two. The progression of skills document shows the expectations for each year group in reading.
1:1 Reading
Children will read to an adult, in school, each week. Children who need extra support will be listened to more frequently.
Home Reading
Reading at home is an essential part of learning to read. Each child has an appropriately levelled reading book and a reading diary. These are sent home daily.
Top Tips
How to help your child with reading at home
- Start with your child’s reading book. These books will improve reading skills at the just the right level to give challenge and practise.
- Follow your child’s natural interest and look up information on the internet. They won’t notice that they are practising their reading. They will also be practising vital retrieval and research skills.
- Some children just prefer non-fiction. Reading non-fiction is a great way to improve vocabulary, learn how to tackle new words, improve knowledge and develop a love for reading. Joke books, fact books, top ten books are all just as good for learning to read as reading fiction
- Many children love graphic novels or comics. These are great for developing imagination. Children also learn how stories are presented in different ways and understand how pictures and text work together. There’s also quite a bit of reading between the lines needed here
- Read signs and information boards as you are out and about. These often contain new vocabulary to discuss. Recipes or instructions for craft projects are also great for this and also encourage us to read with accuracy
- Try to encourage your child to tackle a longer fiction story. Reading a longer story for pleasure has many benefits. It develops imagination and empathy; it builds reading stamina and introduces new vocabulary and sentence styles
- Although they don’t practise phonics, listening to audiobooks does practise comprehension skills and might even encourage your child to read other books for themselves. Listening to books develops imagination, teaches new vocabulary, and allows your child to experience books above their reading age.
Author of The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson, shares her top tips for reading with your child to make sure they get the best start with learning to read. Julia Donaldson's top reading tips | Oxford Owl - YouTube
Children’s reading expert Jean Gross shares her top tips for supporting your child’s reading, focusing in particular on struggling and reluctant readers. How to help a struggling reader | Oxford Owl - YouTube
Recommended Reads
Additionally, we have a list of "Recommended Readers"—a selection of high-quality books that are suggested reads for each year group.