English
Reading
Phonics and Early Reading
At St John's (CE) Primary Academy we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Monster Phonics, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme.
We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Monster Phonics 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, all our children are able to tackle unfamiliar words as they read. We model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson 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.
Reading is a crucial life skill. By the time children leave the academy, 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.
Class C - Reception - Long Term Plan
- Class L - Year 1 - Long Term Plan
- Class I - Year 2 - Long Term Plan
Reading
At St John's (CE) Primary Academy we strive to make every child an avid reader and our curriculum is designed to expose children to a range of high-quality texts. We treat the books we have with respect and care and they are prominently displayed in classrooms for children to access.Reading has many benefits, but it’s a skill that even a lot of adults don’t use enough. Apart from the necessity of reading to get by in today’s world, let’s look at some other benefits of reading and how these can contribute positively to your child’s development.
- Reading helps you discover the world
Reading is a gateway to learning anything about everything. It helps you discover new things and educate yourself in any area of life you are interested in. You can find a book on just about any subject you can imagine, dive in and start learning. Your child can learn about their interests (and even themselves) through reading things they enjoy.
- Reading develops your imagination and creativity
When we watch television or a movie, all the information is given to us on the screen – there’s nothing we need to imagine. A book in its pure form is just words on a page, and our minds have to do the work, imagining the words coming to life. This does wonders to develop our creativity and imagination.
- Reading improves vocabulary and communication
Giving your child access to a world of words is one of the best ways to improve their vocabulary and enhance their spelling skills. New knowledge that’s gained through enjoyment has a tendency to stick and doesn’t even feel like work! Both their written and spoken communication abilities can be improved through regular reading.
- Reading helps with building a good self-image and playing well with others
Learning new concepts, discovering exciting places and understanding others’ perspectives is key to building a well-rounded self-image – not to mention the self-esteem boost from being able to read well! It’s at early ages that children can be most easily influenced, and a positive reading experience can do wonders to help them form a positive perception of themselves. Reading also has social benefits. Children can discuss stories with others and form friendships over shared interests.
- Reading improves concentration and reduces stress
Not only does reading focus your attention entirely on the task at hand, it also immerses you in the information, improving concentration and memory of what you read. Getting completely involved in a book can help us relax and feel calm.
How do we promote Reading across School?
Class Readers
Adults in the academy read to the children for pleasure at least once daily! The children have the opportunity to enjoy well-chosen, high-quality texts they may not choose to read independently, or would otherwise struggle to read.
Independent Reading
Children are given time to look at or read a chosen book, or their reading book, regularly throughout the week. This is an ideal time for reading aloud to an adult, or for independent reading time.
Weekly Incentives
We celebrate a reader of the week from each class in our Shine worship weekly.
Parental engagement through information event
We hold KS1 phonics information events for parents to attend to support their children. KS1 staff record a video of sounds taught each week in year Reception and 1 for parents and carers to support their children. Also, we send home a reading sack in years R and 1 each week with a good book and teddy to read to, a journal to write in and a hot chocolate to enjoy with an adult. Voting for which book will be read at story time takes place in EYFS from a choice of two, the democratic approach to reading choices.
Guided Reading
In Key Stage 1, pupils take part in Guided Reading in small groups three times per week. Within these sessions pupils are introduced to their weekly Monster Phonics reading book which then they take home.
In Key Stage 2, we follow a Whole Class Reading approach to develop children’s fluency, prosody, vocabulary and comprehension as well as a love of reading. To ensure children are enthused by reading, the text types used are varied and, can also be linked to current topics/annual events such as Remembrance, Black history month and bonfire night. Activities are designed to ensure reading is fun with games and competitions such as ‘race to find the word’ to develop skills of scanning and writing or giving a verbal summary of what children have read to increase skimming skills.
Annual Book Fair
St John’s hosts the book fair twice a year over a week. The rewards raised through the sales are spent on exciting new texts to support our writing curriculum in the classroom.
World Book Day
We leap at the chance to celebrate our love of reading! Each World Book Day, we undertake exciting activities relating to children’s literature and more often than not, take the opportunity to dress up!
Playtime Library
Children are able to visit our playtime library - The Reading Nook - choosing a book to enjoy themselves o with friends.
Home Reading
Children take their independent reading book home each day, with a Reading Record booklet to record home reads. They bring their reading book back into school with them each day. Parents are encouraged to read with their children and record this in their reading record.
Teachers identify which children need regular reading with an adult in school (due to falling behind age related expectations or lack of home reads) and plan in regular reads with an adult during Reading for Pleasure or at other times during the school day.
Author Visits
We are very lucky to participate in remote author visits. These have been highly engaging and interactive events, which expose children to current children’s literature and a range of authors, including non-fiction authors. Children are given the opportunity to order books through school at a discounted price.
- Overview of Reading Expectations in EYFS -Class C Focus on Communication and Language & Literacy - Word Reading & Comprehension
- Overview of Reading Expectations KS1 & KS2 - Classes L I F T O N
- English programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2
- Reading Policy
Recommended Reading
Click on the links below to see a selection of age appropriate books.
reading successful learner.pdf
Writing
Children enjoy writing for real and meaningful purposes and audiences across a range of different genres. Our writing approach is centred around carefully chosen quality core texts, which expose children to a wealth of enriched vocabulary in which they feel confident in applying across a range of contexts. Through our clear and progressive sequence of teaching writing, children are provided with the knowledge, skills and vocabulary to produce beautifully published writing of a high standard.
- Long term Plan for Writing
- Ways we encourage Oracy
- Ways we encourage developing vocabulary
- Overview of Writing Expectations in EYFS -Class C -Focus on Communication and Language & Literacy - Writing
- Overview of Writing Expectations KS1 & KS2 - Classes L I F T O N
- English programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2
- Writing Policy
writing successful learner.pdf
Spelling
Handwriting
- Monster Phonics Letter Formation Rhymes
- Monster Phonics Letter Formation Video - coming soon
