Reading
Being able to read accurately and fluently is an essential part of everyday life. Reading for pleasure is one of life's joys and should always form part of every child's reading experience.
Alongside this, those children with access to a wide range of high-quality texts will usually have a wider vocabulary, improved spelling and an enormous bank of characters, settings and plots to draw on in their own writing. Consequently, reading is a daily part of life at Nova.
All children in KS1 will learn to read using the Read Write Inc programme. Children learn to read by blending sounds together and learn to spell the same words by breaking them down into parts (segmenting). If a child is struggling with early reading, we quickly provide additional daily support.
All staff in our school are trained to teach reading using Read Write Inc. As the children progress through the programme the focus moves to fluency. and prosody (the use of punctuation to support meaning and expression)
In Key Stage 2, we teach reading through whole class sets of high-quality texts. Children increase their fluency, prosody, inference and of course comprehension. A huge focus is placed on extending and enriching vocabulary in these sessions.
Reading for Pleasure
Children read for pleasure throughout their time at Nova. In fact, this is just as important as their daily skills lessons. Children read by themselves or with friends; in the classroom and outside. They can select books form the library, book corners in classrooms and cosy reading corners throughout school.
Accelerated Reader
In Key Stage 2, nearly all children will use Accelerated Reader. This system enables children to choose from a huge variety of books matched to their reading age. Once they have read a book, they complete an online reading comprehension test adn the teacher records their results.
Every half term, the children complete a longer online test which re-calculate their reading age and which often indicates that they should move onto the next set of books.
Children love the scheme and there are rewards and incentives built in so that children constantly feel motivated to read at home.
Teachers Reading Aloud
At some point during every day, teachers will read to their children. These books will be a combination of poetry, chapter books and picture books. In line with the National Curriculum, these texts will often be beyond the children's own reading ability but will allow the children access to a rich vocabulary and to experience the joy of using their imagination.
The School Library
We have a wonderful school library which children visit weekly to select books. Throughout school we also have smaller reading areas where children can sit and enjoy a range of different, high-quality texts.
Throughout the year we ensure books and reading remain a high priority for our pupils. We hold regular Book Swaps where children can swap books with friends so they always have something new to read. We celebrate World Book Day with visiting authors, character dress up days and competitions. We stock books in our Dojo Shop where pupils can select prizes linked to positive behaviours and learning attitudes.
The following document contains information about Reading at Nova Primary Academy.