Reading
At Swallow Dell, teaching children to read is the single most important thing that we do. We have developed an English Curriculum that inspires a love of reading through a range of high quality and enjoyable texts . We prioritise reading, the importance of language and vocabulary and the love of stories and books in our school. It is our mission to ensure that every child at Swallow Dell becomes a fluent and successful reader.
Reading Curriculum Overview 2024-25
Reading lessons
Reading skills are explicitly taught to children across the school, to enable them to access, understand and enjoy a range of texts and authors. Pupils are encouraged to read a range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry providing them with the knowledge and understanding of the world to be successful in life.
Core texts have been carefully selected to be representative of their life and to inform them about other cultures, communities, disabilities and family life. We feel that it is important for children to feel represented in the texts that they read as well as providing them community and world that they live in. Throughout their time at Swallow Dell, children are taught the skills to become independent and fluent readers.
Children will begin their reading journey at Swallow Dell as soon as they enter nursery, by being exposed to books and print all throughout the classroom and have daily opportunities to listen to stories, explore books and nursery rhymes and be read with as they develop their phonics knowledge. As they move into reception, they will begin to read decodable books which contain the gpcs/ sounds that they have learnt. In these early stages of reading, children will have the same reading book for a week.
This practise allows them to develop, fluency, accuracy and confidence in their reading skills. Re-reading the same text is a vital part of early reading development, helping to reinforce learning and build confidence in reading. All reading material is decodable and aligned to the phonics learning that is taking place. In Reception and Key Stage 1, as their phonics skills become more secure, children are asked to read at least three times a week home to a parent or carer as part of their home learning. All children are given multiple opportunities to read with the class teacher or teaching assistant.
in every year group, the children are given multiple opportunities throughout the week to hear stories and books read aloud and to read with a teacher or teaching assistant. We work very hard to ensure each and every child leaves primary school with a great love of reading and strong reading skills to help them in their everyday lives.
As children move along the Little Wandle reading books, they will increase in word level and length. When children are assessed to be sufficiently accurate and fluent they will begin reading Little Wandle Fluency books. These are an exciting introduction to chapter books which support children to move forward in their reading progression with engaging stories, poems and non-fiction texts. Children read each book in school for two weeks and then take them home for two weeks to share with their parents and carers. Children are regularly assessed for speed and accuracy to ensure that they read the appropriate level book. Each year group in Key Stage 2 has a list of high-quality texts that will be studied and read during the year. These texts have been carefully chosen to ensure a broad range of experiences, authors, texts and themes are covered. Throughout the school, reading lessons promote fluency, reading with appropriate expression, reading for understanding and developing a love of reading.
Storytime and promoting a love of reading
Story time is prioritised and timetabled into the day. This is distraction free time for children to enjoy, be inspired by and explore different worlds in the books they are read.
Every week, each class hosts a book talk lesson within their class or library. This is a time for them to suggest, promote and explore books with children. It is a time for children to talk about books and make their own recommendations with each other.
Book corners
Every class has an inviting book corner with closely chosen books for children to read. These are regularly updated.
Libraries
We are extremely lucky to have two beautiful libraries with a range of high-quality fiction, non-fiction poetry, bilingual books , early chapter books and longer reads for upper key stage 2. Children visit the library at least once each week, and the library is open for children and their families to use after school.
Encouraging and supporting reading at home
Teaching children to read is one of the most important things that we do at Swallow Dell.
Reading at Swallow Dell- Guidance for ParentsWe encourage all parents and carers to pay an active role in their children’s reading journey. Reading with your child, regardless of their age is key to fostering a love of books and strengthening their reading skills. Reading together broadens vocabulary, enhances comprehension and grows a passion for stories and knowledge .
Ways to support reading at home:
Listen to your child read regularly and celebrate their progress ( add reading at home link)
Read aloud to your chid daily- modelling a love of reading benefits children of all ages, including independent readers.
Discuss books together by asking questions about the characters, plot and theme.
Model reading for pleasure- let your child see you enjoying reading books/ newspapers/ magazine. Talk about books that you have enjoyed reading.
Visit your local library (www.borrowbox.com) to enjoy audio books for free. Support your child to engage in reading challenges from the library such as The Summer Reading Challenge. Free audio books can also be accessed on apps such as Yoto.
The Teaching of Reading and Assessment at Swallow Dell
Swallow Dell Phonics and Early Reading Policy
For information regarding homework at Swallow Dell (including reading) click below link:
