Reading

At Delves Junior School, we are readers!  This is how we teach and promote the enjoyment of reading at our school:

1:1 Reading

 

 

Class Reader

Teachers read to their class every day.  The books read by teachers as ‘Class Readers’ are rich in vocabulary and carefully chosen to provide challenge and to inspire a love of reading.  Here are some of the books we are reading this year:

 

      

 

Comprehension

Reading comprehension is taught within English lessons using the Wordsmith scheme where it leads into writing and in specific reading lessons which focus on key comprehension skills.  We use the Key Stage 2 Reading Domains to ensure we teach children different aspects of reading comprehension.

 

 

Reading Assessment

Star Assessments are part of the Accelerated Reader programme.  These assessments provide each child with a ZPD so they can choose a book that matches their ability.  We also use PIRA tests each term.  These are standardised tests that provide information about how children are attaining compared to year group expectations.  Teachers' lesson by lesson assessments are used to inform teaching by identifying and addressing gaps that children may have.  This is particularly important as we support our children to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

 

Any children who may need a bit of extra help with their reading are supported using a range of strategies.  They may have additional help in lessons or they may have additional provision which could include before or after-school reading clubs, additional 1:1 reading in school, phonics sessions or enrichment activities.  

English

Our English curriculum is based around high quality texts (fiction, non-fiction and poetry).  Through these texts, children explore language and improve their reading, writing and oracy skills.  Many of our lessons are adapted from the Wordsmith scheme to meet the needs of our children.  Wordsmith ensures clear progression through the standards and expectations of the National Curriculum.  We are focussed on ensuring children have a secure knowledge of language, and of the necessary grammar and punctuation skills, while providing a range of opportunities to be creative.

Children are provided with opportunities to write in English lessons and across the curriculum. Whenever children are writing at length they use the process of writing: plan, draft, write, edit. Every child has a ‘Target Bookmark’ which supports them to improve their writing and ensures they know their ‘next steps’. Grammar is taught in context within the Wordsmith scheme and, where teachers identify specific needs for their class, discrete grammar lessons address these issues.

All children are able to log in to ActivLearn where they can access the texts and resources they are using in their lessons.  Here is a link to the website:

ActivLearn Primary website

Spelling is taught weekly and handwriting is taught in short sessions throughout the week.

Please, note that we have made adaptations to our curriculum for 2021-2022.  We have identified that many children's writing has been impacted by the pandemic.  Strategies we are using to support recovery are:

Focus on sentence formation and understanding what makes a sentence (Year 3 and 4)

Focus on common grammar misconceptions and errors (Year 5 and Year 6)

Adoption of Spelling Shed scheme across school

Oracy

Here are Delves Federation, we strive to ensure that all children are given the best possible start in life.  We are acutely aware that speaking and listening is one of the most important skills required for children to be successful beyond school. This is why, as a Voice 21 Oracy School, we are committed to ensuring that every one of our students benefits from a high quality oracy education.  Oracy not only benefits children's spoken language skills, but also their confidence, capacity to learn and success beyond school.   

Activities are carefully planned to provide ample opportunity for oracy skills to be taught and rehearsed in a range of situations, both within and outside of the classroom. Opportunities for students to express themselves, articulate their thoughts and feelings, and feel heard, are key to students’ success.  Please, see the document below that shows the progression of oracy skills across Key Stage 2.