Reading
We want all pupils to foster a love of reading and be able to talk passionately about the books they have enjoyed reading. All staff model this passion through sharing a range of high quality texts. Reading forms part of the classroom experience of every child a Penshurst.
Research indicates that reading for pleasure is a key factor in academic success and achievement and support this we keep a well-stocked library that offers a wide range of books that appeal to readers of all ages. Mrs Lane, one of Teaching Assistants, loves books and gives her timely freely to running the library and help pupils with their book choices.
Reading is taught in each class and pupils learn to read with intonation and expression. We use an approach called Book Talk that is linked to our approach to teaching writing ‘Write Stuff’. this provides continuity and uses the same or similar techniques and resources to support learning in reading.
Phonics
We use ‘Letters and Sounds’ as the basis to our phonics teaching. Children in our Reception Class recap Phase 1 and then move onto learning sounds. We use our long term planning in phonics to provide milestones for each year group from our Foundation Stage children to those in year 2. Our systematic approach means that children are learning new sounds as well as revisiting and applying their skills. Our youngest children have their reading books matched to the phonic sounds they have learned.
A book is a dream that you hold in your hand.
Neil Gaiman
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Reading resources
Writing
In 2018 we began using ‘Write Stuff’, a lively and challenging way to encourage all learners to aim high with their narrative and non-fiction writing.
This approach is embedded in all key stages and gives pupils a clear understanding of the written word as they progress through the school.
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The English curriculum
Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling
We teach grammar and punctuation through meaningful texts and by exploring how great writers engage and entertain their readers.
Initially, in our Foundation and Key Stage 1 classes, pupils learn to decode to read, and encode to spell. In Key Stage 2 pupils are taught spellings in line with the English National Curriculum 2014.
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Recommended books
Reading for pleasure is more important for children’s cognitive development than their parents’ level of education and is a more powerful factor in life achievement than socio-economic background.
The Reading Agency