Let's read! Our Vision...
The Reading Programme of Study at Great Linford Primary School is founded on the passion of teachers to ensure that all children develop a lifelong love of reading. We encourage this using engaging social reading environments and daily, whole class reading sessions. Reading drives our curriculum and creates strong links with all areas of study using a range of engaging books and texts.
We believe that home school communication is key and promote the importance of regular reading at home, inspiring children with our Million Word Reading Challenge. We promote and instill a love of reading via the use of novels and provide the opportunity for each child to have their own book to read along with the class. This leads to fantastic development of vocabulary, comprehension and the understanding that reading is a lifelong skill that should be cherished.
We believe that home school communication is key and promote the importance of regular reading at home, inspiring children with our Million Word Reading Challenge. We promote and instill a love of reading via the use of novels and provide the opportunity for each child to have their own book to read along with the class. This leads to fantastic development of vocabulary, comprehension and the understanding that reading is a lifelong skill that should be cherished.
Reading in EYFS
In Early Years, the children are provided with opportunities to read throughout the day whilst they are accessing their continuous provision and adult led activities. We believe that the first year of primary school is a crucial time to develop every child's knowledge of phonics sounds, but also to nurture a love of handling, reading and understanding books. All children take part in whole class story time twice a day and core texts, linked to projects, are explored through text maps and story telling.
Phonics:
Children are taught phonics daily following the Read Write Inc scheme of learning. They are taught in small groups with others of a similar ability to ensure that all teaching can be personalised to each child's individual needs.
The children are given books to take home that match specifically to the phonics sounds that they know, this ensures that they can continue to practise their learning at home to boost engagement and encourage great progress.
Phonics:
Children are taught phonics daily following the Read Write Inc scheme of learning. They are taught in small groups with others of a similar ability to ensure that all teaching can be personalised to each child's individual needs.
The children are given books to take home that match specifically to the phonics sounds that they know, this ensures that they can continue to practise their learning at home to boost engagement and encourage great progress.
Reading in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two
Due to our belief that reading should drive the curriculum, every half termly project is linked to a core text. Each text has been chosen specifically because it is of high quality, inspires the children in their love of reading and drives engagement in writing. The text is read individually and as a whole class during whole class reading and English lessons. Take a look at our current core texts!
Our Core Texts
Our Reading Ambassadors show us their year group core text.
|
|
|
|
Cayden- Year 1
Katie in London by James Mayhew Year 1 have been enjoying learning all about London during their topic, 'The Adventures of Queen and Bear'. When reading their text as a class, they have been taken on a journey around London, developing knowledge of geographical landmarks in the capital city. |
Ariana- Year 2
Toby and the Great Fire of London by Margaret Nash As part of their 'Great Fire of London' topic, Year 2 have been learning all about the famous event to find out exactly what happened in 1666. They have enjoyed using their book to spark their imaginations, especially when getting into character as Samuel Pepys. |
Melody- Year 3
Greek Myths by Marcia Williams Year 3 have been enjoying reading a range of different Greek Myths as part of their project on Ancient Greeks. They have been particularly fascinated by Theseus and the Minotaur and Pandora's Box and have produced some brilliant writing as a result. |
Janice- Year 4
Boy Giant by Michael Morpurgo As part of their project, 'Europe including Russia' Year 4 have been enjoying reading Boy Giant. The story depicts a human struggle when Omar, forced to leave his country by war, is left stranded and alone at sea. The tale links strongly to our ROOTS and values and encourages the importance of overcoming challenges. |
Khloe- Year 5
The Jamie Drake Equation by Christopher Edge In Year 5 they have been reading The Jamie Drake Equation as part of their project on The Space Race. They have been enjoying the link between the story and their topic, particularly with their discussions about the International Space Station, famous astronomers and observatories. |
Leon- Year 6
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian As part of their project on World War Two, Year 6 have been loving reading Goodnight Mister Tom. The story gives a representation of what life may have been like for a child who was evacuated and this has supported the children in writing their own stories about escaping a situation during the war. |
Our Reading Curriculum and Progression Maps
The reading programme of study at Great Linford Primary School is founded on the passion of teachers to ensure that all children develop a lifelong love of reading. We encourage this using engaging social reading environments and daily, whole class, guided reading sessions. Reading drives our curriculum and creates strong links with all areas of study using a range of engaging books and texts.
We believe that home school communication is key and promote the importance of regular reading at home, inspiring children with our reading challenge. We promote and instil a love of reading via the use of novels and provide the opportunity for each child to have their own book to read along with the class. This leads to fantastic development of vocabulary, comprehension and the understanding that reading is a life- long skill that should be cherished.
We believe that home school communication is key and promote the importance of regular reading at home, inspiring children with our reading challenge. We promote and instil a love of reading via the use of novels and provide the opportunity for each child to have their own book to read along with the class. This leads to fantastic development of vocabulary, comprehension and the understanding that reading is a life- long skill that should be cherished.
Reading for Pleasure
At Great Linford Primary School, we give all children the opportunity to read for pleasure at least three times a week. During these sessions, the children are free to read whatever they would like to and have the opportunity to discuss their reading material with a friend or teacher. Children may choose to read fiction, non-fiction, newspapers or comics and have the chance to read solely for the enjoyment of doing so. Ben-Yosef (2010) has argued that authentic independent reading involves thoughtful engagement with the text. It has been suggested that the impact of sustained time to read and to talk about texts more freely was evident in the children’s thoughtful comments about the texts they were reading in this time.
Accelerated Reader
“Children and young people who use AR tend to enjoy reading more, do it more often and think more positively about reading than their peers who do not use AR. They are also more likely to see a link between reading and their successes.” Dr Christina Clark, National Literacy Trust
At Great Linford Primary School, we place great importance upon children enjoying their reading and being given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and comprehension skills. With this in mind, we introduced the Accelerated Reader scheme.
Pupils who use Accelerated Reader are more likely to:
Accelerated Reading is an individualised reading program for children. It allows teachers to set goals, track growth and monitor comprehension. The program also provides a bank of over 110, 000 book quizzes that children can complete after reading a book from our reading scheme or ‘real’ books that are now a choice for children to read at home. The book levels (ZPD) range from 0.2 to 13.5 and we have a wide and ever increasing variety of books for children to select.
This Accelerated Reader replaced the book banding system, after gold books, as the books are organised differently. Your child completes a reading test which generates a ZPD score. Your child can choose any book in their ZPD range. When they have finished reading their book, they log on to Accelerated Reader using their personal log in and take an online quiz.
Accelerated reader has many benefits. It assesses your child’s comprehension and understanding of the book they have read. It also identifies the new vocabulary and skills your child has developed through reading. Then, through the fun online quizzes, your child can apply the skills that have learnt. Additionally, Accelerated Reader assesses your child’s reading level and suggests books which are also age and interest appropriate. Not only does it recommend books that are at the correct reading ability for your child it also uses the child’s own interests and reading preferences.
Pupils who use Accelerated Reader are more likely to:
- enjoy reading
- have a favourite book
- agree that reading is cool
- read regularly at least once a week outside class
- agree that they will get a better job when they grow up if they are good at reading.
Accelerated Reading is an individualised reading program for children. It allows teachers to set goals, track growth and monitor comprehension. The program also provides a bank of over 110, 000 book quizzes that children can complete after reading a book from our reading scheme or ‘real’ books that are now a choice for children to read at home. The book levels (ZPD) range from 0.2 to 13.5 and we have a wide and ever increasing variety of books for children to select.
This Accelerated Reader replaced the book banding system, after gold books, as the books are organised differently. Your child completes a reading test which generates a ZPD score. Your child can choose any book in their ZPD range. When they have finished reading their book, they log on to Accelerated Reader using their personal log in and take an online quiz.
Accelerated reader has many benefits. It assesses your child’s comprehension and understanding of the book they have read. It also identifies the new vocabulary and skills your child has developed through reading. Then, through the fun online quizzes, your child can apply the skills that have learnt. Additionally, Accelerated Reader assesses your child’s reading level and suggests books which are also age and interest appropriate. Not only does it recommend books that are at the correct reading ability for your child it also uses the child’s own interests and reading preferences.
We all love to read... here are some of our favourites!
At Great Linford Primary School, we all have a passion for reading, including the adults! Take a look, are there any that you would like to try?
Mr Rowlands - Y6
From the moment I first heard the story in Year 5 (thank you Mrs Guest) I have wanted to share it with every class that I teach. If you don't shed a tear for William Beech then you have a heart of stone!
|
Mr Jenkins- Y6
I love the excitement of this book as the main character Albie encounters a surprise on each page. I enjoy reading all the books in the Albie set to my class.
|
Mr Fay - Y5
I have always enjoyed reading this book because it shows what can be achieved when you work hard to overcome a challenge. It reminds me of reading when I was younger!
|
Miss Scott- Y5
I really love this book because it has lots of brilliant facts about life on the International Space Station. Did you know that space smells like BBQs? This book has ignited a passion for space; one which my class have also developed.
|
Miss York- Y4
This book is full of mystery and I always enjoy that! It is a book that I choose to read to my class because I think that they will be just as intrigued as me.
|
Mr Shipton- Y4
The Gruffalo. What an adventure. From the moment Mouse steps into the 'deep, dark wood' you're filled with anticipation and suspense. Will he be eaten or escape... you'll have to read the story to find out.
|
Miss DJ- Y3
I love David Walliams as an author and really enjoy all of his books because they make me laugh and always cheer me up. My class love to hear about the different adventures of the characters! |
Miss Kerrigan - Deputy Head
I love the Harry Potter stories! I have read them all and listened to them all again as audio books. I think we can learn a lot from the characters JK Rowling has created - the characters stand up for what they believe in and succeed through hard work and determination as a team.
|
Mrs Smith- Y3
I absolutely love this book because it has some brilliant facts about the mythical beasts of Greece and Rome! My class are always fascinated and it helps us to understand our project.
Miss Funnell- Y1
My Favourite book is The Witches by Roald Dahl. I love any book by Dahl but particularly this one as I like the creepy side to the story and think that you really get drawn into the story!
|
Miss Scoggins- Y2
I have really enjoyed reading this book as it shows that sometimes being close to someone in person is not the most important thing. It is a heart warming book that always cheers me up.
Miss Woodward- Y1
We're Going on a Bear Hunt is my favourite book as I've loved it since I was young and it's such a fun book with some many repeated phrases!
|
Miss Pollard- Y2
This is my favourite book because I love animals! It's brilliant to read about the different adventures that they go on and I'm pleased that my class enjoy it as much as I do.
Mrs Woolley- EYFS
Mr Tickle is my favourite story because it always makes me smile. Mr Tickle gets upset when his friends don't want to be tickled anymore but he finds other ways to make use of his extra long arms.
|
Miss Flynn- EYFS
I absolutely love reading We are Going on a Bear Hunt to my own children and to my class. It is a great story all about a journey and I particularly enjoy the illustrations!
Mrs Brightman- Y6
I absolutely love the Harry Potter books! I especially love my illustrated copy of The Philosopher’s Stone because it’s the same fantastic story with beautiful illustrations. I also have Chamber of Secrets and Prisoner of Azkaban illustrated editions.
|
Are you up for a challenge? Could you join the Million Word Club?
|
At Great Linford Primary School, each class runs their own reading challenge throughout the year based on the Accelerated Reader scheme. The more books you read and quizzes you pass, the higher your word count becomes! Each child has their own character on the display and is able to reach incremental milestones until they have achieved one million words.
If you reach a new milestone, or have read at home every day for the week, you will receive a golden ticket. Each half term this will be drawn from your class box and you will be in with a chance of winning a prize! |
|
In our main corridor you will find our 'Today a reader, tomorrow a leader' display. Here you will see a bar graph representing the word counts of each class based on their Accelerated Reader quizzes. Who will win this year?
|
Each classroom has a 'Million Word Challenge' display. Each child has the chance to move up to the next milestone based on the word count that they have accumulated via Accelerated Reader quizzes.
|
World Book Day
We had a fantastic time this year during World Book Day! We enjoyed many different many different activities such as designing book tokens, paired reading and drop everything and read. The most enjoyable part was seeing lots of different book characters come to life as we all came to school dressed up! We also joined in with a zoom assembly and kept in touch virtually about our love of books.
Books at Bedtime
This year we had a great turnout for our annual books at bedtime event, lots of children attended to listen to stories and enjoy reading with their families. We also had the opportunity to be creative whilst making characters from clay paper plates! Many children from Year 5 and 6 also enjoyed the spooky story session in the restricted area.
Design a Book Theme Cupcake Competition
We had a fantastic opportunity to be creative this year with a brilliant competition to design a cupcake with a reading related theme. We saw lots of innovative entries and it was very difficult to choose the winner, however we decided on Ileya and Theo. Well done to our winners, we are looking forward to our next competition!
Resources
Online resources
We believe that all children should have the chance to develop a lifelong love of reading using a variety of different resources. Please see the following websites for ebooks, resources and information.
Expectations and AssessmentWe believe that all children should not only be fluent readers but also enjoy reading. Our teachers use the following assessment criteria to assess progress. Click on the links below for more information:
|
When reading with your child you can use these handy question guides to support you with giving your child comprehension questions. This will help develop your child's understanding of the book they are reading.
|
First News |
Reading lists |
|
We are very lucky to have First News as one of our reading resources in school. Children will be able to use up to date news resources as part of their reading for pleasure sessions. Each week, every class will have a delivery of the latest newspaper, as well as the latest online resources available. These include extra exclusive news stories and weekly puzzles to solve.
|
Below are recommended reading lists appropriate to your child's year group. They are not exhaustive but will definitely help you if you're stuck with what to read next!
Year 2, 3 and 4 Year 5 and 6 |
