Reading at Etchingham
At Bodiam and Etchingham C E Schools, there is a rigorous programme of phonics teaching across the school.
Pupils are grouped according to developmental ‘stage’ and not ‘age’ groups.
We use the following materials:
Jolly Phonics, Phonics Play, Letters and Sounds and Support for Spelling.
For READING, our key schemes are:
Tree Tops OUP Phonics Bug
Oxford Reading Tree
Rigby Star.
These are supplemented by a wide range of books in our classrooms and in the library which are arranged in book-bands until pupils are able to make their own or guided choices.
SQUIRT TIME!
Sustained, Quiet Uninterrupted Reading Time (SQUIRT).
Pupils stop what they are doing when the whistle is blown unexpectedly and read for fifteen minutes!
Pupils do not know in advance that this will happen but when the whistle goes, the school falls silent as everyone gets their book and reads!
TOP TIPS
Reading with parents at home is key to building reading stamina which is now essential in the light of the more challenging curriculum.
Pupils are expected and encouraged to read at home most days. It makes a huge difference to progress.
- Encourage the children to ask the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary to extend their knowledge.
- Read to your child – the book can be more challenging
than the level they at which they are reading
- Let the children listen to audio CDs