Reading at St Patrick’s  
At St Patrick’s we recognise that reading is not just about being able to say the words on a page, but is made up of many ingredients.  It is about developing fluency and comprehension; as well as developing a love and an interest in reading. We teach phonics in \EYFS and Key Stage 1 using 'Read Write Inc.' which gives the children the building blocks they need to become confident readers and speakers of English.

Home Reading

Children receive home reading books as soon as they start in Reception. We send home a wordless picture book and a 'Read to me' book from the school or class library. This book is a book for parents to read and share with their child. As soon as children begin to blend, thye receive a matched decodable book. 

Within Key Stage 1 (and Key Stage 2 where appropriate) we ensure the reading books are closely matched to the phonics stage each individual is learning, providing them opportunity to embed their phonic knowledge at home.  We hold an introduction to phonics meeting at the beginning of each school year which all parents are welcome to attend to support in their own phonic knowledge, as well as giving parents suggestions for activities to help their children at home.  We also ensure that all our LSA’s and volunteer readers receive some initial training before hearing children read. We also have trained University students who regularly come and listen to the children reading. At St Patrick's, we encourage the children to read regularly at home and each child has a reading diary which can be used to record pupil's reading. There is a comments section for parents to add their thoughts on how their child read. Children who have at least 3 records of reading to their parent or carer in a week receive a star for their reading chart at school.

As children progress through the reading scheme we encourage children to read a variety of texts, both fiction and non-fiction.  When children demonstrate consistent skills within their reading, children are able to start to read their own choice of book from home or the library.  In these circumstances children are also encouraged to read books from our higher level reading scheme to ensure the breadth and variety of reading continues; as well as developing comprehension through the focussed questions within the books. 

Hooked on Books and Class Novel

Time is built into the school curriculum everyday for the class reader. This provides children with an opportunity to read aloud, learn new vocabulary, hear modelled reading as well as seeing the world from a different viewpoint.

We use the Jane Considine's 'Hooked on Books' approach of teaching reading and how to interrogate text. 

Key aspects of the Hooked On Books system include: 

• Book Talk – a whole class comprehension and a targeted  group approach, ensuring all individuals are accountable
• The Reading Rainbow – a fully comprehensive approach that targets reading competencies, covers the National Curriculum and develops understanding
• Demonstration Reading – the art of modelling the internal thinking of a reader. This is to demonstrate how a reader thinks during the process of ‘reading for meaning’
• Demonstration Comprehension – clear, out loud thinking by the teacher whilst modelling answers to questions and showcasing ‘thesaurus thinking’ to ensure the most precise words are used.
• Independent Comprehension- children apply their skills independently.

 St Patrick’s also runs many different events throughout the school year to support and develop a love for reading, some are listed below. 

Storytelling Week (January)

Bedtime Story

Book swap

Book fairs

World book day

National Poetry Week

Reading buddy system

Author visits