Reading at Offley
Pathways to Read
Pupils in Years 2 – 6 follow the Pathways to Read programme of study. This involves a focus on a high quality text each half term which the children explore as a whole class and in smaller groups. Each week within the half term, the children focus on mastering a different reading skill and answer questions and complete independent tasks to help them with this. Over the year, the children develop their comprehension skills using a range of texts as well as developing their fluency in reading using a number of strategies.
Reading Scheme
At Offley Primary Academy we promote a 'phonics first' approach and in both our guided reading sessions at school and in the books children take home, texts are very closely matched to a child's current phonics knowledge so that every child can experience real success in their reading.
In these crucial early stages of reading we primarily use books from Ransom Reading Stars Phonics, to ensure complete fidelity to the Unlocking Letters and Sounds progression we follow.
Once children progress beyond decodable texts, they move onto our Accelerated Reader book scheme so that they can continue to progress in their decoding, fluency and comprehension skills to become avid, expert readers.
Reading Eggs/Reading Eggspress
In addition to this, all children in EYFS and KS1 will have their own account on the 'Reading Eggs' and 'Reading Eggspress' program. These are online reading programs that we have subscribed to where children can access reading lessons, phonics games and books. Children complete a placement test as and when is necessary to ensure that they are completing tasks at their right level.
Home Reading Expectations
Children in EYFS are expected to read at home at least 5 times per week and children in KS1 are expected to read at least 4 times per week. This can be from their banded reading book, Reading Eggs or even a book from home.
We ask that children in Key Stage 2 read as often as possible (at least 3 x 20 mins per week) and have their reading book in school everyday as teachers aim to listen to the children read every fortnight.