Reading
For home reading, most children will take home 2 books. These books will be changed when completed and the previously borrowed books are returned. Please encourage your child to complete their reading record each time they read at home.
Book 1 will be based upon your child's individual reading level. Books will be matched to your child's current level and will be mostly decodable so that your child can build confidence in their reading. They may need a little support with some words but should use their understanding of phonics and other reading strategies where possible.
Book 2 will be one of their choice that interests them from our school library. The children are likely to need more support reading this but can read this independently if they want to or share it with someone at home.
For those children who are reading confidently and are reaching the age related standards for year 5 and 6, they may just bring home one longer and more challenging text.
Top tips for encouraging reading:
Minimise distractions - Find somewhere quiet and comfortable, away from noise, TV and phones.
Create a relaxing environment - Sit under a tree on a blanket on a warm day, cuddle up in bed under the covers, pile on the couch, or curl up on bed - basically wherever you like to enjoy a good book!
Use audio books some of the time
Let them see your enthusiasm! Choose books that you love. Talk about the magic of being swept away to a distant land or time in history. Let your love of books shine through. It’s contagious!
Read aloud regularly - Try to read to your child every day. It’s a special time to snuggle up and enjoy a story. Stories matter and children love re-reading them and poring over the pictures. Try adding funny voices to bring characters to life.
Encourage reading - Give children lots of opportunities to read different things in their own time - it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes and much more. Try leaving interesting reading material in different places around the home and see who picks it up.
Make use of your local library
Talk about books - This is a great way to make connections, develop understanding and make reading even more enjoyable. Start by discussing the front cover and talking about what it reveals and suggests the book could be about. Then talk about what you’ve been reading and share ideas. You could discuss something that happened that surprised you, or something new that you found out. You could talk about how the book makes you feel and whether it reminds you of anything.
Bring reading to life - Play games that involve making connections between pictures, objects and words, such as reading about an object and finding similar things in your home. You could organise treasure hunts related to what you’re reading. Try creating your child’s very own book by using photos from your day and adding captions.
Engage your child in a way that suits them - You know your child best and you’ll know the best ways to encourage your child to read.