Reading at Thames View
As a school, we believe that creating a culture of reading is a vital tool in ensuring our children are given the best life chances. Cultivating readers with a passion for a wide range of materials will ensure that children’s love of reading will extend far beyond the classroom and allow them to build on their skills independently through a real curiosity and thirst for knowledge.
We believe that the following principles are at the forefront of our approach to reading.
- Reading is challenging
We develop our understanding and command of the English language through our experience of and exposure to challenging texts
- Reading is varied
We recognise that reading comes in many forms and essential to everyday life
- Reading is explored
We use ‘close reading’ to interrogate texts through rigorous study
- Reading is inspirational
We are enthused and stimulated by what we read and use the ideas and techniques that we have experienced when reading to inform our own written work
VIPERS
Throughout the school, we use Literacy Shed VIPERS. Children need to be aware of the reading skills they are using in order to give them a greater understanding of what makes a well-rounded reader. Instead of having a long wordy objectives, we can break them down into 6 simple words using Reading Vipers.
The Reading Vipers can be used by both KS1 and KS2 with a little adaptation. The main difference being in the ‘S’.
KS1 - Sequence
KS2 – Summarise
In Thames View Primary School, we use whole class reading as our main form of direct teaching. This allows all children to engage in high quality texts and is in place fully by KS2. As the children enter KS1 and become more confident readers, whole class reading structures are developed and put into place.
What do we read?
Throughout the children's time at Thames View Primary School, they will have opportunities to listen, respond and engage with a wide variety of key texts, authors and poets. The texts the children are working with is constantly being reviewed to ensure that we keep up to date with modern literature.
How can you help your child?
To support their reading journey your child will bring different sorts of books home from school. When your child is in the early stages of learning to read you can help by encouraging them to sound out the letters in words and then to ‘blend’ the sounds together to make a whole word. You can hear how to say the sounds correctly by searching on YouTube for ‘Letters and Sounds Pronunciation’ video.
Sometimes your child might bring home a picture book that they know well, encourage your child to tell you the story out loud; ask them questions about things that happen or what they think about some of the characters in the story. We assess the children’s progress regularly and send home books that are matched to their ability. Children are always encouraged to read novels and other materials in addition to their school reading book to supplement their reading habits.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practise.
All pupils sit a Star Test at the beginning of each term, which will identify the child’s current reading level. The child then independently selects a book from their reading level band and has a week to read the book.
How can I access Accelerated Reader?
Here is the direct link to access Accelerated Reader for Thames View Primary. Links for AR are different for each school, so please make sure you are using the Thames View one specifically. Included here is the URL or a QR code short link.
What is the quiz?
At the end of the book, pupils will sit a quiz that is linked to the story they have read. When they log onto the website, they will be given a choice of Star assessment or Accelerated Reader. They need to select 'Accelerated Reader'. They will then have to search for the quiz through either title, author or quiz number, which can be found on a white sticker on the inside of their book.
The pupil will answer comprehension questions that will show if the child has understood what they have been reading – the number of questions is reflective of the length of the book – the longer the book, the more questions there will be. When sitting the quiz, children are not allowed to look through the book – this quiz is based upon what the pupils have remembered. They will be asked to put in the quiz number w
What happens in the Star Test?
At the beginning of each term, pupils will sit a Star Test. This will be a standalone comprehension test that links to an unfamiliar text. This then shows the pupils’ understanding of the text and an assessment is made on their comprehension skills. A reading level is generated and class teachers can use the data generated to implement additional group activities to support pupils to make good progress. The test responds to the children's answers and gets easier or more difficult as the test progresses. They are pitched for each level of reading.
Here are examples of some of the questions:
