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Reading at OLSP

Reading is the key to success and therefore takes high priority at our school. 
 

At OLSP we believe that the teaching of reading is integral to a child’s understanding and appreciation of the world around them; a platform that allows our children to see beyond what they know, share in cultural experiences and develop the vocabulary they need to effectively express themselves. Our reading curriculum strives to foster a lifelong love of reading.  We cultivate the behaviours that they will need to be discerning readers as they read frequently and widely using self-regulation strategies and discuss what they read. This curriculum is delivered through synthetic phonics, a linked approach to shared and guided reading, home reading, reading across the curriculum, regular opportunities for independent reading and hearing quality texts read aloud every day. All of these are essential components as they offer the range of opportunities needed to develop fluent, enthusiastic and critical readers. 

 

It is important that children are motivated to read at home regularly; when their reading opportunities increase, so does their fluency and stamina which in turn increases their enjoyment of reading. Therefore, the link between children’s motivation to read and reading for pleasure is reciprocal. Furthermore, we know that reading pleasure is beneficial not only for not only reading outcomes, but for wider learning enjoyment and mental wellbeing. Thus, we work hard to foster a love of independent reading and build communities of engaged readers. We understand the significance of parents and carers in supporting their children to develop both word reading and comprehension skills so we endeavour to build a home-school partnership which enables parents and carers to have the confidence to support their children with reading at home. 

 

Reading is at the very heart of our curriculum. We are committed to promoting a love for reading and not only giving children opportunities to read in English lessons, but in the wider curriculum too.

 

Reading for parents

 
Children learn to love the sound of language before they even notice the existence of printed words on a page. Reading books aloud to children stimulates their imagination and expands their understanding of the world. It helps them develop language and listening skills and prepares them to understand the written word.
 
Reading and sharing stories can: help your child get to know sounds, words and language, and develop early literacy skills.... spark your child's imagination and stimulate curiosity. help develop your child's brain, ability to focus, concentration, social skills and communication skills.
 
At OLSP we use the ReadWriteInc phonic scheme, ensuring children are taught by phase, not age. (Se the next tab for more information).  Once fluent at reading our children access Accelerated Reader to further help them fall in love with reading.  All our classrooms have book corners and we have a well stocked library.  
 
When ready, from Year 2, each child takes home an ‘Accelerated Reader’ linked reading book from an ability banded selection in the library. This supports the children in selecting appropriate texts for their reading level but also enables children, parents and teachers to see how well children understand what they have read as the children take an online, comprehension based quiz upon completing a book. Accelerated Reader helps us to track how much children are reading and supports us in knowing when they are ready to be challenged further. Our children also have the opportunity to borrow books from the library.