HONICS AND READING

Click here for our Phonics websites

Note: most of these are free, although you may need to register using an email address and some may not be tablet friendly.

Foundation Stage

Children are introduced to letter-sound correspondences through the ‘Success for All Phonics’ programme. Daily phonics sessions cover all the prerequisite skills for reading such as sound identification, sequencing, reproduction, discrimination, segmenting and blending. The children also begin to read “tricky” words on sight.

Reading opportunities are given on a daily basis. A wide range of approaches are used to provide first hand experiences for the children. The children are taught in a stimulating environment that is rich in written print. There are focussed periods within the day when small groups of children share books in a more structured way – i.e. guided reading. Class teachers share big books and text using books on the smart boards with the class in addition to regularly reading stories and singing rhymes. There are designated book areas in every classroom to inspire a love of reading. Our Foundation Stage children also enjoy weekly ‘book buddy’ time with their Year 6 reading partners.

Once children are able to confidently segment and blend simple 3 letter words using single letter-sound correspondences they are given reading material to support their growing phonic knowledge. Daily reading alongside an adult takes place during guided reading and phonic sessions with children being encouraged to also support each other through partner reading. The teacher and teaching assistants read with each child and encourage reading to take place at home. Comments about reading progress are recorded in a home/school reading record book by both teachers and parents. Children are also able to self-select texts from their class and school library to take home and share with parents and carers to encourage good reading habits and to support their reading journey. Home reading books are provided from the Oxford Reading Tree reading scheme and children are encouraged to re-read texts they have become familiar with through their daily reading sessions.

Key Stage 1

At Anchorsholme Academy, systematic phonics teaching continues into Key Stage 1 through the ‘Success for All Phonics’ programme. Children are introduced to the sounds which groups of letters make when placed together and are encouraged to identify and use these during shared & guided reading and writing. Children are expected to have a secure understanding of phonics by the end of Year 1 and additional support is given for pupils identified as not being on track to achieve this. A variety of active teaching and learning methods are used to model the use of phonics for reading and writing and to allow children to practise and apply their growing phonic knowledge. Through phonics sessions, children also continue to learn the “tricky” and high frequency words. In June of Year 1, children take the national Phonics Screening Test and those not reaching the benchmark pass rate will retake the test in June of Year 2.

All children are involved in daily shared reading both in English lessons and through the wider curriculum to support their learning. Daily paired and guided reading sessions continue for every child across KS1 and reading material is pitched appropriately to support and challenge pupils’ phonic knowledge. Pupils in KS1 are encouraged to read for pleasure and every class has access to reading materials which pupils are able to select from based on their interests. Each week, pupils in KS1 choose a book from the school library to take home and share at home to encourage shared reading for pleasure with parents and carers.

The Oxford Reading Tree scheme provides pupils with a range of home reading materials pitched at their phonic ability. Progress in reading both at home and at school is communicated via a home reading record which is completed and checked by teachers at least once per week. Additional 1-1 reading takes place in school for pupils that find reading challenging.

ACES time (Anchorsholme Children Enjoying Stories) takes place at the end of every day. Teachers and pupils share reading from a class novel in order to model good reading habits and to encourage pupils to explore longer texts and a wider range of authors.

From Year 2, children are introduced to ‘Accelerated Reader’ which enables children to independently demonstrate their understanding of texts and work towards becoming a ‘word millionaire’.

Key Stage 2

Discrete daily phonics teaching continues into Y3 for pupils that do not meet the required standard by the end of KS1. Continued understanding of spelling rules and patterns are explored through weekly spelling work which encourages pupils to find links between families of words and to explore their common meanings. Spelling conventions and widening vocabulary are reinforced during daily shared & guided reading and writing.

Pupils in KS2 continue to take part in daily guided and paired reading as part of Success for All. This enables pupils to explore new vocabulary, authorial intent and to develop their comprehension skills as modelled by the teacher.

Reading for pleasure is encouraged through use of the school and class libraries. Pupils that are fluent readers by the end of Y4 are encouraged to self-select texts from the class and school libraries to continue their reading journey. Children in KS2 are designated ‘book buddies’ for younger pupils in FS and KS1 in order to develop reading confidence and to model good reading habits for younger pupils. ACEs time continues throughout KS2.

Children throughout KS2 continue to access ‘Accelerated Reader’ and their individual and class achievements are celebrated weekly.

If you need any further information about phonics or reading at our school, please contact the school office and ask to speak to Mrs Hylton.

Click here to view our Reading Curriculum and Spine information.