Reading
Reading is a high priority area at Oakley Cross Primary School. Reading is a fundamental skill, used to stimulate children’s imaginations and ability to acquire a love for books.
At Oakley Cross we teach reading using the mnemonic VIPERS.
V – Vocabulary
I – Inference
P – Predict
E – Explain
R – Retrieve
S – Sequence (KS1) Summarise (KS2)
This covers the key comprehension skills in line with the content domains from the National Curriculum. Children are taught to use 1-2 reading skills a lesson. The mnemonic VIPERS is used to ensure children understand the purpose of questions when reading. For more information on reading VIPERS click here.You will also find a link to question stems to support reading at home.
At Oakley Cross we want to ensure children have access to a wide range of texts. This may be through reading lessons, 1:1 reading, whole class novels or audio books. We want to immerse children in a language rich environment.
In EYFS, KS1 and some LKS2 classes children’s reading books are carefully matched to their phonic ability through the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme. Children’s books are sent home daily, as children are encouraged to read each evening at home. Each class runs their own incentive for this such as a ‘reading rocket’ or ‘bookworm’.
We use the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme to support our children in developing their reading skills, once they are confident with their phonic sounds and can accurately blend and read fluently. The books are banded according to their level of difficulty, providing children with a challenging reading experience, which allows them to use their developing phonic knowledge and whole word reading, to read independently. The scheme is made up from a mixture of Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Traditional Tales, which allows children to experience a variety of text types. We also have a selection of Project X books for KS2 children. Once children can read accurately and fluently, they may select reading books from their class reading corner or library.
We have worked hard to ensure there is a progression of skills for each pupil as they move from Early Years to Upper Key Stage Two. We have developed a Progression of Skills document which shows the expectations for each year group in reading.
Reading for Pleasure
At Oakley Cross Primary School, we encourage reading for pleasure. Every classroom has an engaging reading area, including books matching both the ability and interests of the children. Children take part in weekly DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) sessions, where children have the opportunity to read a text of their choice; fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers or kindles. Classes also have access to a well-stocked, school library.
Staff nurture a love for books through enthusiasm and enjoyment, promoting wonder and curiosity while exploring a new book. We plan for regular opportunities throughout the year focussing on books, for example World Book Day, Roald Dahl Day and World Poetry Day. Books are used to enhance our curriculum in all subjects. Classrooms are updated termly, ensuring children access a range of subject based books. For example: Science, Geography, History, RE. Additional to this, adults share stories daily within their classes. In Key Stage 2, classes enjoy reading a class novel.
We are fortunate enough to have a ‘Reading Hub’ in our playground. This cosy corner allows children to curl up with a book at breaks and lunch time. Older children will share stories with younger children and adults will lead story sessions. Children love this opportunity to dive into their favourite books.
Home Reading
Reading at home is an essential part of learning to read. Each child has an appropriately levelled reading book and a reading record. These are sent home daily. To ensure children are enthused about reading, they may choose which book they read from their allocated book band. Children are encouraged to read at home and rewarded through incentives developed within each class.
1:1 Reading
In EYFS and KS1 children will read to an adult, in school, at least three times a week. Children who need extra support will be listened to more frequently. We are fortunate enough to work with volunteers from Beanstalk who work with children identified by class teachers. In KS2 children are encouraged to read multiple times across the day to adults through a range of lessons, including; writing, geography, history, science and RE lessons.
Phonics at Oakley
At Oakley Cross Primary School we are passionate about reading. We aim to give children a love of reading so they become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers.
Essential Letters and Sounds (ELS) is our chosen Systematic Synthetic Phonics Programme to get our children off to a flying start in Early Years.
How we teach phonics
Children have discrete, daily phonics sessions in Early Years and KS1.
We use a simple, consistent approach to ensure:
- All children experience the same classroom routines within each lesson which reduces cognitive load and maximises the chances of success.
- All children are supported within the lesson to use their new phonic knowledge independently.
- In every single phonics lesson, children will make the direct application to reading.
- Apply activity work books provide opportunities for children to apply and consolidate new learning.
- The main focus is on word recognition. However, new vocabulary is also given and explained in every lesson.
- The new sounds and graphemes taught are revisited throughout the day.
- Opportunities are given for writing the new grapheme in words or sentences.
Decodable Books
All children have access to well-matched decodable books from Oxford University Press which support the ELS programme.
Wordsparks, Project X, Hero Academy and Little Blending Books have been expertly matched to each week of teaching. We also have access to the
e-book library from Oxford Owl to support teaching both within the classroom and at home.
