Redditch, Moons Moat First School

When our children leave Moon's Moat First School we expect them to be avid readers, children who read fluently and widely and are able to express preferences and opinions about the texts that they read. We want them to read for pleasure, having had access to a wide range of text types, genres and authors in order for them to make informed opinions about their favourites. We aim to expose our children to a wide range of vocabulary so that they able to decipher new words and then use them when speaking both informally and formally. We also aim for our children to apply all of these English skills to all areas of the curriculum. We firmly believe that becoming a confident reader is key to unlocking children's achievements in other areas of the curriculum.

Progression of Knowledge and Skills in reading 2021 -22

Click here to see how Literacy is taught in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

Reading is a complex skill and we use a balanced approach of different methods to teach children to read with fluency, understanding and enjoyment. Phonics is at the core of helping our early readers to learn to decode words. More information about our phonics scheme and how parents can support their children can be found here. Carefully planned whole class and group work is used to focus on the range of strategies and skills children need to become independent and effective readers. Children also have an individual reading diary to record their reading and provide an opportunity for teachers and parents to comment on their progress. Every day children take books to read and share at home, as part of their homework.

We are committed to developing our children as readers, fostering a lifelong love of books and reading throughout their primary school life and way beyond. Our early readers are supported by the Oxford Reading Tree Scheme to develop their decoding skills. Outside of learning to decode words, the school continues to use the Oxford Reading Tree scheme with other complementing reading schemes to enable the children to access and read a wide range of texts. The aim of this is to ensure that our pupils have access to a wealth of quality reading material that motivates them to want to read.

The school plans reading activities using the programme of study from the DfE National Curriculum at KS1 and 2, as follows:

The programme of study consists of 2 dimensions:

word reading
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. Underpinning both is the understanding that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words. This is why phonics is emphasised in the early teaching of reading to beginners (i.e. unskilled readers) when they start school.

Good comprehension draws from linguistic knowledge (in particular of vocabulary and grammar) and on knowledge of the world. Comprehension skills develop through pupils’ experience of high-quality discussion with the teacher, as well as from reading and discussing a range of stories, poems and non-fiction. Reading features heavily in our wider curriculum plans and children encounter a rich and diverse world of genres, significant individuals and vocabulary. Reading widely and often increases pupils’ vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech. Reading also feeds pupils’ imagination and opens up a treasure house of wonder and joy for curious young minds. It is essential that, by the end of their primary education, all pupils are able to read fluently, and with confidence.

All pupils will be encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to develop their knowledge of themselves and the world they live in, to establish an appreciation and love of reading, and to gain knowledge across the curriculum. All children at Moon's Moat First School children also have access to an online reading scheme known as Bug Club. All pupils have their own unique username and password, which can be found in their Home/School link book.

Click on the link below to access Bug Club.

https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk

If your child is reluctant to read or you would like some ideas about how you can support reading, this video will give you some ideas. Your child's class teacher is highly skilled in teaching reading and will provide you with support and guidance at every step along your child's journey to becoming a fluent reader.

Pupil voice:
Through discussion and feedback, children talk enthusiastically about reading and understand the importance of this subject. They can also talk about books and authors that they have enjoyed and can make reading recommendations.

Evidence in knowledge:
Pupils can make links between texts and the different themes and genres within them. They can recognise similarities and differences. Children understand the reading process.

Evidence in skills:
Children are taught reading progressively and at a pace appropriate to each individual child. Teachers subject knowledge ensure that skills taught are matched to the EYFS and National Curriculum objectives.

Outcomes:
At the end of each year we expect the children to have achieved Age Related Expectations (ARE) for their year group. Some children will have progressed further and achieved greater depth (GD). Children who have gaps in their knowledge receive appropriate support and intervention. Children are ready to continue on to middle school with appropriate skills.

The Importance of Reading

Below are some benefits and advantages that highlight the importance of reading with children.

1. Reading to young children sets them up to succeed

The more you read to your children, the more knowledge they absorb, and knowledge is important in all aspects of life. There have many studies that show reading to babies and toddlers gives them a head start and helps to prepare them for school later down the line. After all, reading with your children gives them the skills needed for when they start to read themselves.

It is important that children learn to follow words across the page from left to right, and turn pages which are pre-reading skills that benefit children and help them to become better readers later on. Children who enjoy reading not only do better in language and literacy subjects, but in all of the different subjects as well.

2. Reading is important to develop language skills

While we may speak with your children every day, the vocabulary we use can often be limited and repetitive. Reading books ensures that your child is exposed to vocabulary on different topics, which means they hear words or phrases which they may not hear otherwise in their day to day lives.

The more words they know, the better. For children who speak more than one language, reading is an easy way to help their language skills and is important to develop their fluency. These skills alone show the importance of reading.

3. Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain

Reading to young children affects their brain activity and may just give them that boost they need to support and promote their early reading skills.

Research on the importance of reading shows that specific areas of the brain are affected when young children have reading exposure from an early age. These areas are critical for a child’s language development.

4. Reading enhances a child’s concentration

While you may think reading is important with a young child who wants to constantly turn pages, swap books, or throw them around, reading with your little one is extremely important at this age.By consistently reading to your child every day, your child will learn to concentrate and sit still for longer periods of time, which can help later on when they go to school.

5. Reading together encourages a thirst for knowledge

Reading to your children leads to questions about the book and the information within. It gives you a chance to speak about what is happening and use this as a learning experience. It may also develop an interest in different cultures or languages. There is nothing better seeing a child who loves to learn.

6. A range of books teaches children about different topics

Don’t underestimate the importance of reading diverse books. Providing your child with different types of books on different topics, or even in different languages for bilingual children, gives them a wide range of information for them to learn.

There are informative books on topics such as different animals, places or objects etc, and there are also different books to help teach children about important life skills such as sharing, being kind, and diversity. There are also some amazing personalized books which make great gifts!

7. Reading develops a child’s imagination and creativity

One of the great benefits of reading with children is watching their growing imagination. When we really engage in a book we imagine what the characters are doing. We imagine the setting as reality. Seeing the excitement in a child’s eyes when they think they know what is going to be on the next page, or having them guess what is going to happen, is one of the most amazing things to experience.

8. Reading books with children helps to develop empathy

The importance of reading can also be shown when children develop empathy. When a child can put themselves into the story this can happen. They identify with characters, and they feel what they are feeling. Children begin to understand and relate to emotions.

9. Books are a form of entertainment

With so much technology these days, it is difficult not to get caught up in all the hype of it all. TV, Video games, smart phones and apps are popular among children. However, reading a good book that your child is interested in can be just as entertaining.

With all of the negative affects of screen time, choosing a book that interests your child, and either reading it together, or letting them flick through pages alone, is definitely a better option. One of the main benefits that highlights the importance of reading with young children, is that they are more likely to choose a book to read for pleasure over another activity when they are bored.

10. Reading together helps to create a bond

There’s nothing better than cuddling up to your little one and reading a book or a bedtime story together. Spending time with one another, reading, and talking, can bring parents closer to your children. For parents who work, or have a busy lifestyle, relaxing with your child and simply enjoying each other’s company while reading can be a great way for you both to wind down, relax, and bond.

We really do need to highlight the importance of reading. As parents, we need to prioritise reading in a child’s early years to help them to succeed later in life. After all, as Dr Seuss would say “The more that you read, the more you will know, the more that you know, the more places you will go.”

Please look at the links below for some ideas about some of the books you could read with your child.

KS1 Reading

Year 3 Reading

Year 4 Reading

STORY TIME - Listen to one of these stories from Oxford Owl: Click here

The Importance of Reading

1. Reading to young children sets them up to succeed

2. Reading is important to develop language skills

3. Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain

4. Reading enhances a child’s concentration

5. Reading together encourages a thirst for knowledge

6. A range of books teaches children about different topics

8. Reading books with children helps to develop empathy

9. Books are a form of entertainment

10. Reading together helps to create a bond

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The Importance of Reading

1. Reading to young children sets them up to succeed

2. Reading is important to develop language skills

3. Exposure to reading exercises your child’s brain

4. Reading enhances a child’s concentration

5. Reading together encourages a thirst for knowledge

6. A range of books teaches children about different topics

8. Reading books with children helps to develop empathy

9. Books are a form of entertainment

10. Reading together helps to create a bond

Our use of cookies

Necessary cookies

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