Phonics

We teach early reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is an accredited Synthetic Phonics Programme.(SPP). More information on Phonics and Early Reading can be found here. <link to ‘Phonics and Early Reading Tab>

Guided Reading

Guided Reading lessons take place as a part of our English curriculum, every day. During these lessons, pupils have the opportunity to read a wide range of high quality texts such as stories, sets of instructions, information texts and poetry. Each sequence of learning begins by exploring a text where pupils use their phonic knowledge and word recognition skills before practising to read with increased fluency and prosody (expression). After pupils are fully immersed in the texts, children then learn discreet reading skills such as inferring, predicting, retrieving and summarising. 

Accelerated Reader

As a school, we subscribe to Accelerated Reader which helps pupils to read more frequently and enhance their understanding and enjoyment of reading. Each term, pupils take a STAR reading test which gives them a reading age and a Z.P.D (Zone of Proximal Development). Students then use this Z.P.D to select books from our library that are appropriate for their ability. Every time students finish reading a book, they take a 5 or 10 question quiz. This is done online, and every detail of their progress is available to the teacher. Each book is worth a certain number of words and words are accrued if quizzes are passed. When a child reaches 1 million words, they receive a certificate and a badge. The link to Accelerated Reader can be found here. http://Renaissance Learning Login 

DEAR time

At Langstone, pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure during our daily DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time. During this time, pupils may choose to read a reading book of their own choice from the library, complete a quiz on Accelerated Reader, listen to a story as a whole class or visit the library as a class. 

We teach early reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is an accredited Synthetic Phonics Programme.  The children receive daily engaging phonics sessions where we teach them that the letters of the alphabet represent different sounds (phonemes). The children learn to recognise all the different phonemes and the ways they can be written (graphemes). They then learn to blend these graphemes to read new words. 

Little Wandle has a very specific sequence that allows our children to build on their previous phonic knowledge and master specific phonic strategies as they move through school. As a result, all our children will be able to tackle any unfamiliar words that they might discover. At Langstone we also model these strategies in shared reading and writing both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on the development of language skills for our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.

How we teach phonics

• In Reception and Year 1, children follow the progression within Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme. Phonics is taught daily and there is a review session on a Friday.
• Phonics starts within the first few weeks of children beginning in reception to ensure the children make a strong start.
• By the end of Reception, the majority of children will have been taught up to the end of Phase 4
• By the end of Year 1, the majority of children will have been taught up to the end of Phase 5
• Reception lessons start at 10 minutes, with daily additional oral blending – increasing to 30 minutes as soon as possible.
• Y1 lessons are 30 minutes long.
• In Y2-Y3, phonic lessons are taught daily to children where appropriate –plugging specific gaps identified through assessment.

Reading practice sessions

• Within Little Wandle, children across Reception, Year 1 (and Year 2 where appropriate) apply their phonics knowledge by using a fully matched decodable reader in a small group reading practice session.
• Each child will read with an adult a minimum of twice a week. The sessions follow the model set out in Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised
• The children then take the same book home the following week to ensure success is shared with the family.

How do we assess phonic knowledge?

• In Reception and Year 1, at the end of each week there is a review session which recaps the learning. There are also whole review weeks (pre-planned and bespoke review weeks to address gaps identified by the class teacher’s ongoing formative assessment).
• Children identified in Reception and Year 1 as at risk of falling behind are immediately identified and daily ‘keep up’ sessions are put in place – sessions follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.
• In Reception and Year 1, the children are assessed at the end of every half term using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised assessment tracker.
• The children in Year 1 sit the Phonics Screening Check in the Summer Term.
• Children who do not pass the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1, will receive ongoing phonics teaching and re-sit the check in Year 2.

Phonics Progression

In Early Years classes, all children will begin their reading journey following the Little Wandle main programme progression. <file:///C:/Users/mrs%20knapp/Downloads/Programme-Overview_Reception-and-Year-1-1.pdf>

SEND

If a child is identified as having SEND needs we will follow the SEND progression <file:///C:/Users/mrs%20knapp/Downloads/SEND-PROG-PROGRESSION-18_08_22.pdf> and provision <https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/whats-included/send/>. We also utilise the Little Wandle Foundations <https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/my-letters-and-sounds/weekly-reading-and-phonics/little-wandle-foundations/ content to help build attention and listening skills alongside phonemic awareness.

If you are a parent and would like more information about how to support your child with phonics at home, please follow this link to find the Reception and Year 1 overview as well as videos of the sound pronunciations, letter formation sheets and other helpful resources.

www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/for-parents

We promote the love of reading with numerous opportunities for each child to practise, enjoy and apply their reading skills.

Our Libraries

We are one of the few schools in the city lucky enough to have two libraries! All children have access to library sessions where they can select a book to enjoy at home each week. 

In Early Years and Key Stage 1 we invite parents in to enjoy library sessions with their children. In Key Stage 2 the library is open each Thursday from 3.15 for parents and children in Key Stage 2 to change their books.

School Library Services

As a part of our commitment to ensuring all children have access to high quality texts, we subscribe to the Schools Library Service. They ensure our libraries and classrooms are stocked with an excellent range of books which are regularly reviewed. We also link with the library service to organise various reading events such as author visits and trips.

D.E.A.R. Time

At Langstone, pupils are encouraged to read for pleasure during our daily DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time. During this time, pupils may choose to read a reading book of their own choice from the library, complete a quiz on Accelerated Reader, listen to a story as a whole class or visit the library as a class.

Celebrations 

We want to instil a love of reading in our children and as a school we ensure that we celebrate children’s achievements linked to reading. We regularly invite parents in for Celebration Assemblies to recognise their children’s achievements. We also celebrate national reading days such as World Book Day and National Poetry Day.