Phonics and Reading

Phonics (Reading and Spelling)

We believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. Therefore we teach children to read and write through a rigorous and consistent systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) programme. Research has proven that teaching phonics is the best way to teach children to read, and reading is fundamental to a child's ability to be successful across all areas of school life and beyond.

We have introduced a programme called Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which draws on the latest research into how children learn best. We start teaching phonics as soon as children start in reception and follow the￿Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised￿progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school. As a result, children are able to tackle unfamiliar words as they read. We also model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of phonics lessons and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

Children are taught phonics lessons in year groups every day, following the clear progression (link above). Through careful daily and summative assessment, children are identified for additional phonics support if necessary to ensure progress, with the aim of no child falling behind and every child becoming a successful reader. Teaching phonics with fidelity to our chosen programme ensures learning stays in children's long term memory and enables children to apply their learning to become competent readers and writers.

Comprehension

We value reading as a crucial life skill and by the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

Reading as a life skill, reading for pleasure, reading for purpose.

As children move on from Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised, they begin to access Accelerated Reader. This is usually in by the end of year one, however we still continue to teach following Little Wandle for children in year 2 and lower key stage 2, who need to continue practising these reading skills.

More information about the Accelerated Reader program, please follow this link￿Accelerated Reader

At Milstead we love reading and highly value reading￿for pleasure. We work hard as a school to grow our Reading for Pleasure ethos by;

- Reading to children every day, carefully selecting high quality texts that reflect the children at Milstead, our local community and the wider world. We link texts to current learning that demonstrate aspirational language. We choose texts that inspire and enthuse and promote the school's values as well as ensuring personal, social, spiritual and emotional needs are met. - Every classroom has an inviting book area or a way to read books in a comfortable way to entice children into selecting a range of high quality texts.

Children take home a selection of reading books including their phonetically decodable Little Wandle book which they will have read 3 times in school or an AR book. In addition children will take a selection of books to read for pleasure. These will be from class book corners or the school library.

- We have a well stocked and utilised library￿on the school grounds which is managed by 2 volunteer librarians who provide library time for every child once a week. The librarians promote an author of the term, with research provided from classes.

Phonics screening check.

Children in year 1 sit the phonics screening check. Those who do not pass can resit in year 2.

A parents guide to reading at Milstead

Our English Curriculum at Milstead