At Normanton Junior Academy, we use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) programme to support children who are still in the early stages of reading and therefore need a flying start, and new approach, with their reading and writing as they enter Key Stage 2.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjlPILhk7bQ
RWI is a rigorous and structured programme which integrates phonics, comprehension, writing, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and handwriting. We follow this programme with absolute fidelity to ensure that our children get out of the reading gateway as quickly as possible; it has helped us to create a consistent approach across our school as we all work together to ensure our children are confident readers and writers.
Our expectation is that all pupils should be ready for daily whole-class reading sessions on entry to NJA. However, those children whose decoding skills are not yet secure, access daily RWI sessions. Children in Years 3 and 4 work within the RWI scheme. Throughout the programme, the children rapidly learn sounds and letters/groups of letters in ‘Speed Sound’ lessons. This knowledge is taught and consolidated every day. High frequency words, that are not phonetically regular, are taught as ‘tricky’ words and practiced frequently.
Children read books that are closely matched to their increasing knowledge of phonics and ‘tricky’ words so that they experience plenty of success. Repeated readings of these texts support their increasingly fluent decoding. During sessions, teachers read aloud and discuss books with similar themes so children build up background knowledge ready for the next text. Children are assessed and regrouped every six weeks according to their phonic knowledge. Ongoing assessment means that groups are constantly adjusted to ensure the best progress for each child.
Our mission is to ensure that every child ‘gets out of the reading gate’ as soon as possible as reading unlocks a child’s learning across our broad and ambitious curriculum.
Please visit Ruth Miskin’s website for parents to find out more about our wonderful programme – https://www.ruthmiskin.com/parents/ and take a look at these useful resources and documents, for further information, too:
- RWI Teaching Sequence
- RWI Handwriting Phrases
- RWI Phonics Structure Chart
- Parent/Carers FAQs
- List of RWI Books
- Visit – https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/ – for further advice and guidance videos.
- Sound Pronunciation Guide – https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading-owl/find-a-book/read-write-inc-phonics–1/phonics-pure-sounds-video
Accelerated Reader
At NJA, we are fortunate enough to have a fantastic school library offering a wide range of high quality and diverse fiction, non-fiction and picture books.
Once children can read fluently and independently, they start the Accelerated Reader programme. Accelerated Reader is an online programme that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice and is linked to a vast collection of books available in our library. The programme works by using ‘Star Reader’ tests to identify a child’s ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development), signposting children to a selection of books that will not only match their reading ability but also challenge and develop their vocabulary.
Once the children finish the book they are reading, they take a short online quiz. The quiz checks that the children have read and understood the text. It also enables teachers to closely monitor individual reading progress and ensure that children select books of an appropriate level which are challenging without being frustrating. Children using Accelerated Reader should therefore regularly experience success in their reading quizzes whilst having ownership over their reading choices. This makes independent reading a much more rewarding and enjoyable experience and encourages children to develop their own reading tastes.
Regular Reading
We encourage our children to read at home for at least 20 minutes, three times each week. Children record their reading in their Home School Diary which is checked weekly by staff. Children who achieve this expectation are able to meet the criteria for their NJA Bronze, Silver and Gold Badges, as part of the NJA Behaviour Passport.
In school, children are provided with the opportunity to read independently every day. Children should be heard reading by their class teacher at least once each week.
Reading for Pleasure
At NJA, we promote reading for pleasure as this itself plays a major role within a child’s reading development. We aim to do this in the following ways:
- Daily Story Time – Each day, teachers read and lead discussions around a class novel with the children in their class. Teachers are also seen as readers and regularly share their own reading choices.
- Reading Environment – We are a reading school and this is obvious from the minute you walk through the door! Books play a prominent part in display, both in the school corridors and in the classrooms. Each classroom has a designated reading area for the children to use and enjoy, daily.
- School Library – Children are encouraged to visit our school library as often as possible. Every class is timetabled to visit at least once each week.
- Reading Buddies – Children are paired with a reading buddy in a different year group and have regular opportunities to read and share their reading choices with one another.
- Fundraising Events – We hold a number of whole school reading events throughout the year, including hosting the ‘Scholastic Book Fair’ twice a year and World Book Day. These days and events promote a love of and excitement for reading throughout the school whilst also providing funds for purchasing further reading resources.