Reading

Reading at Mercenfeld

At Mercenfeld we believe that all pupils should have the opportunity to be fluent, confident readers who are able to successfully comprehend and understand a wide range of texts. With these texts, children develop their comprehension skills and have access to a richer vocabulary. We want pupils to develop a love of reading and a good knowledge of a range of authors. By the end of their time at primary school, all children should be able to read fluently, and with confidence in any subject. We do not put ceilings on what pupils can achieve in reading and we do not hold pre-conceptions about any pupils’ ability to make progress. We understand the importance of parents and carers in supporting their children to develop both word reading and comprehension skills, and so we want to encourage a home-school partnership, which enables parents and carers to understand how to enhance the skills being taught in school through good quality texts.

Reading in Class

Individual reading takes place for all children in EYFS and KS1 regularly and for others identified in KS2.

In years 2 to 6, children take part in daily whole class reading sessions. The first and last session of the week uses the class text and focuses on prediction, summary and retrieval skills and the children enjoy a class quiz. Our first session also end with a philosophy for children question. Sessions allow children to gain a clear understanding of the reading process and interpret meaning in a scaffolded, supported and independent way. Teachers are able to hear individual children read aloud during these sessions and within cross-curricular subjects. Whole class reading incorporates poetry, drama, music, fiction, non-fiction and debating opportunities in order to engage children and develop empathy. During the sessions, support is offered to the less confident readers and challenge available to those who need it. Wherever possible, children’s vocabulary is acquired and enhanced as part of shared, guided and individual reading. Whole class reading is introduced in the Summer Term for Year 1.

Any feedback and marking is given within the session where possible and teachers use AFL to identify those children who need help with particular skills, ensuring their teaching is adapted appropriately. Formal assessment and tracking is carried out using PIXL tests and data sheets. These help to plan targeted intervention and close gaps as quickly as possible.

Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure is an important aspect of our school. In each classroom teachers read aloud to their class for 15 minutes after lunchtime to simply enjoy a book together. Books are selected from our school reading spine (see the link below) where texts cover varied themes, diversity and inclusivity. Use the link to access the spine and see the books we are sharing across the school.

The reading environment in each class and school library engages and promotes a range of books. Mercenfeld pupils also have regular opportunities to visit the Markfield community library to borrow and enjoy books. Each classroom also has their own mini library which children can access at all times

All children at Mercenfeld take part in reading buddies. This is where classes are linked and share books together.

Mercenfeld Reading Spine

Reading at Home

All children are expected to read at home on a daily basis and the school reading scheme is carefully matched, in the first instance, to children’s phonic phases.  As children become more fluent, we help them make book choices, related to their interest and ensure that questioning is carefully scaffolded.  Children will bring home a phonetically matched book and a ‘children’s choice’ text taken from our class mini-libraries or the school library.

Please see the Phonics section of our school website for further information regarding our approach to phonics.

Improving Your Child’s Comprehension Skills

KS1 Reading Vipers Questions(opens in new tab)
KS2 Reading Vipers Questions(opens in new tab)

Free Online Books

Leicestershire Libraries(opens in new tab)
Oxford Owl(opens in new tab)
BBC(opens in new tab)
Storynory(opens in new tab)
Love Reading 4 Kids