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Reading

Reading at Oakwood
 

At Oakwood, all pupils are encouraged to read widely including both fiction and non-fiction in order to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live, to establish an appreciation and love of readingand to gain knowledge across the curriculum. Reading is taught through the English curriculum and reading within class will also be seen across all subject areas and include a wide variety of materials.  Reading skills are also taught explicitly through reading comprehension lessons.  Each class also enjoys a daily story time session with their teacher.  It is important for children to be read to daily and for our staff to model and share a story with a real focus on children being immersed in a range of different genres and authors.  

 

Oakwood uses the Renaissance Star Reading Scheme which is a complete online assessment of students’ reading growth, allowing teachers to see which skills pupils have mastered aligned to the National Curriculum.  Pupils read books from the scheme and then complete an online assessment tool (in school) to establish comprehension of the book.  Children are encouraged to read at home daily, as part of their homework tasks, and take one book home for enjoyment and one from the REN scheme.  Each pupil has an individual reading record which is completed by parents and school staff. We also encourage our children to make recommendations to each other and be able to articulate their choices and preferences.      

 

The Read Write Inc. (RWInc) phonics programme is followed from Nursery, and throughout KS1.  It is an inclusive literacy programme for all children learning to read.  Children learn the 44 common sounds in the English language and how to blend them to read and spell.  The scheme helps all children learn to read fluently, and at a speed, so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spellings. The RWInc programme is also then used to support pupils in KS2, where needed.  The RWInc sessions are expected to occur each day with no exceptions, as the continuity and pace of the programme is key to accelerating the progress of children’s reading development.  Children are assessed during each session and a formal assessment is completed once per half term by the RWInc Coordinator.  This checks individual children’s ability to recognise and say each sound, to blend and to say real and nonsense (alien) words. RWInc groups can then be adjusted to ensure that children are at a similar stage.       

 
Phonics is taught through the Read, Write Inc model which is a rigorous approach to the teaching of reading and comprehension in line with the new National Curriculum. Mrs Reed is our Read Write Inc manager at Beechwood. She attends national training and co-ordinates the implementation, monitoring and assessment of the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme in school. There are many helpful resources and information for parents regarding RWI on the Ruth Miskin website.
 
Owl Reading Scheme at Oakwood

The Oakwood Owl Reading scheme celebrates and rewards children for reading widely at school and at home. This year we have developed the scheme to include poetry, a range of non-fiction books and some of the 100 best books as listed for children. Children will be able to read a variety of different genres whilst working towards their certificate. If your child is on REN reading, they will complete a quiz after they have read a book to ensure they have understood and comprehended the book. Children will also complete a book review about a favourite book they have read on the scheme.  This approach helps to encourage children to read a wider variety of books. 
 
Parents are encouraged to read at home with their child and communicate with the class teacher through a home-school reading diary. Reading achievements are celebrated at school assemblies and the names of all the children are displayed on the wooden Owl Reading Trees in the school hall.   Thank you for your continued support with your child’s reading. 

Reading Rewards
  
AWARD
FOUNDATION &
KEY STAGE 1
KEY STAGE 2
10 Books Certificate Certificate
25 Books  Reading Sticker Certificate Bronze Owl Badge Certificate
50 Books Reading Badge Certificate Silver Owl Badge Certificate
100 Books Reading Bookmark Certificate Gold Owl Badge Certificate
100+ Books Special Reading Badge Certificate Special Reading Badge Certificate

‘You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.’ Dr. Seuss
100 Best Books

It is fantastic to read a range of genres in books, including books written by the authors you love and new, up and coming authors. There are lots of excellent reading books available for your child to read. Below is a link for the book trust website which inspire a love of reading and they have culminated their best 100 books.

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/100-best-books/

You can browse the most recent book lists to keep up to date with new authors.

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/booklists/

Choose the best books they have selected each month.

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/new-books-we-love/

Finally, you can see the books which have won awards and prizes.

https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/awards-and-prizes/

With so many books to read, which one will you choose?
 
Our local library

We have an enormous selection of books at our local library and libraries in around Plymouth. Libraries are an excellent opportunity for children to access a range of books at no cost. They feature books, e-books and audio books to borrow, free internet access, events for children to attend and creative workshops to participate in. Click on the link below to see what you can read or get involved with at the library!

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/libraries/childrenandyoungpeople