Reading
We recognise the importance of equipping children from an early age with the tools required to access a full curriculum. This means that we place a key focus on communication, language and literacy development.
The National Curriculum states:
English has a pre-eminent place in education and in society. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them. Through reading in particular, pupils have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature, especially, plays a key role in such development. Reading also enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know.
Our aim is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment. We will do this through a well-planned, sequential, and ambitious curriculum, and by promoting a love of reading. Where possible, we aim to use the local context of the school to support this.
The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Read easily, fluently and with good understanding
- Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
- Acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language
- Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage
The programmes of study for reading at key stages 1 and 2 consist of two dimensions: word reading and comprehension (both listening and reading).
Skilled word reading involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. At Brompton Westbrook, Year R and Key Stage One learn phonics through the Read Write Inc (RWI) program to give them the early reading skills required. Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge (in particular of vocabulary and grammar) and on knowledge of the world. We aim to develop pupils’ comprehension skills through high-quality discussion as well as from reading and discussing a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. We encourage all to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live, to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. We do this by reading regularly to pupils, hearing pupils read regularly, involving parents and carers in regular opportunities to share reading with their children, and providing access to a range of books from our school library and the use of the Accelerated Reader Scheme.
Read, Write Inc
We have been a Read, Write Inc school for many years, using the scheme to teach children phonic instruction.
Read Write Inc. is a popular phonics scheme. Like all phonics schemes, it teaches children the sounds in English, the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters when writing. Read Write Inc. Phonics includes reading books written using only the letters they have learnt at each level (and a small number of separately taught tricky words). The children will quickly feel confident and successful.
Follow this link for extensive Parent Support guidance from Read, Write Inc
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/
Accelerated Reader
We joined the Accelerated Reader scheme in January 2020 and we are really proud of the way in which our children and their families have engaged with this. As a very brief summary Accelerated Reader enables teachers, children and their parents to track their child's level of engagement with reading whilst ensuring that they are reading books at the right level of challenge for them.
Children from Year 2 upwards (and some in Year 1) have taken 'Star Reading Tests' in school which test children's level of reading and comprehension. At the end of the test, children are given a Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), such as, for example, 2.0 to 2.9. This means that when reading children should read books within their ZPD as this means that the book will have an appropriate level of challenge for them (not too easy or not too hard!).
Which books fit into a child's ZPD?
Books are given an 'ATOS' level. The ATOS level indicates how difficult a book is to read. For example, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has an ATOS level of 4.8. So, if a child has a ZPD which includes 4.8 then this book would be appropriate for them to read and comprehend. If you need you child's ZPD then email their teacher. (the email addresses for Year Groups are on ther
How do I find a book's ATOS level?
In school, all the books which have an ATOS level have this on an appropriate colour sticker on the spine of the book. However, you can find the ATOS level of a book by using this link to Accelerated Reader Book Finder. Type in the book's name/author to find the book you are looking for.. (Click here to see an example).
Children are accessing books on the internet via Myon (https://www.myon.co.uk). These books will all have ATOS levels so the children are reading books in their ZPD.
How do children completed quizzes on books once they have finished reading?
Quizzes are accessed via this link https://ukhosted48.renlearn.co.uk/6703385/ . Children have their logins and passwords already (these are written in the home learning books). Children are then given quizzes on the book. There can be 3,5,10 or 20 questions (dependent on the size of the book).
Can children do Accelerated Reader quizzes on their own books?
The short answer is yes provided that the book is one that Accelerated Reader has created a quiz. They have created over 30,000 quizzes so far (more are added daily) which children can do. To check whether a book has an Accelerated Reader quiz you can use this link https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/default.aspx to check. You can use this to make sure that the book chosen is within your child's ZPD.. (see above).
To help you find books,we've put together lists from some more popular children's authors with the book's ATOS level. We will add more authors on in the near future. Click on the author's name to see their list of books.
Jacqueline Wilson for books from the Tracy Beaker series and others.
Julia Donaldson including The Gruffalo, Stick Man and more.
Dav Pilkey. Writer of the Captain Underpants and Ricky Ricotta (among others) series of books.
Ian Whybrow including some of the Harry and the Dinosaur books.
David Walliams including Gangsta Granny and Ratburger.
Liz Pichon for the Tom Gates series of books.
Lauren Child for Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort
Francesca Simon for loads of Horrid Henry books!
Michael Morpurgo for a very long list of books including classics such as War Horse. Private Peaceful and I Believe in Unicorns
Roald Dahl. Classic such as The BFG, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Twits and many more
Jeff Kinney for all those fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Recommended Reads
Below are lists for parents and pupils. The books have been selected by 'Books for Topics' who, on their website, select books that are linked to the topics so that teachers can use the text to support or lead the topic.
Many of these books do have Accelerated Reader quizzes to go alongside them. To check before reading, click on this link which will take you to Accelerated Reader's book quiz finder which will tell you if the book has an Accelerated Reader quiz as well as that book's ATOS level to ensure that the book falls within your child's ZPD. Click here to see an example.
Need more books to read? Are you an Amazon Prime member? Well....read on!
If you are an Amazon Prime member, you will have access to Amazon Prime Reading which means you can read loads of free books. We've put together a list of Amazon Prime books which have Accelerated Reader quizzes. There is a good range of books for different ages including J.K. Rowling and David Walliams. Click here to see the list.
Would you like some free ebooks to read.?
Take a look at the Oxford Owl website https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/find-a-book/library-page to find loads of books to read, We've put together a list of books from this website which have Accelerated Reader quizzes to go with them. Click here to see the list. You will need to register but you will then have access to books free of charge. (Please note that the books available may change)
Run out of books to read? Would you like access to more books?
You can download ebooks from Medway Library Service free of charge to tablets, phones and laptops. Medway Library Service have issued a guide to their library services which can be accessed currently. There are over 1,000 ebooks to be downloaded as well as a large number of audiobooks. Click here for Medway Libraries Resource Guide. You will need to download the Libby App (which is free to access) or the Overdrive App (if using a Kindle).
To join the library online and have immediate access to the online library follow this link.
If you already have a library card and have forgotten your PIN (which you will need to access Online resources follow this link.
ATOS levels of ebooks
To help link up the ebooks with Accelerated Reader we have listed the ebooks available from Medway Library and found their ATOS level so you know that which books are in your child's ZPD.
For books with an ATOS level of 0 to 1.9 click here, For books with an ATOS level between 2 and 2.9 click here. For books with an ATOS level between 3 and 3.9 click here. For books with an ATOS level between 4 and 4.9 click here. For books with an ATOS level between 5 and 5.9 click here. For books with an ATOS level 6.0 and above click here.
How can you best support your child at home with reading?
The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) has issued a report entitled '7 Top Tips to Support Reading at Home'. To have a look click on this link. It provides some useful tips on how to use 'shared reading' with children. Talking with children about what they are reading (or even what they are about to read) helps with their understanding of what have they have read. Engaging in regular conversations with your child will also help your child develop a love for reading - even better if you are a reading role model as well.
Here are some further ideas from EEF.
Take turns to make plans and predictions before reading: ‘I wonder if… what do you think?’ ‘You think… Oh, I thought…’
Recap to check ideas and understanding as your child is reading: ‘So, you think that…’ ‘Did you expect…to happen?’ ‘Why do you think that happened?’
Use encouragement and praise to keep children engaged in reading: ‘What brilliant ideas…let’s see what happens.’ ‘You thought so carefully about... What might happen now?’
Share prior knowledge and past experiences that link to what is being read: ‘Have you learnt about…at school?’ ‘Do you remember when we watched…and found out about…’
Tune-in and listen to your child – be curious about their interests: ‘I didn’t know you knew so much about…’ ‘I love reading stories about...with you.’
If you need any help please contact your child's teacher via the phase email addresses. Keep reading!
