Bransty School Loves reading!

Here at Bransty reading is a high priority. We encourage our children to ‘Strive For Five’; reading for at least five times a week, for thirty minutes each session.

We cannot emphasise enough, that for your child to make good improvement with their reading, an adult should hear them read at least five times a week in KS1/Lower KS2. For older children in upper KS2, they should read independently at least five times a week and make comments in their learning logs to address their targets.

‘There is a difference in reading performance equivalent to just over a year’s schooling between young people who never read for enjoyment and those who read for up to 30 minutes per day.’

Questioning your child as they read is very important and we have included a link with some examples of reading questions to assist you as you hear your child read at home. It is integral for your child’s reading ability that you talk to them about the texts they are reading and inspire a love of books within your child. Children that take great pleasure in reading, take great pleasure in writing. You need to model this skill for your child to show them how much fun reading a fantastic story can be! Please strive to read DAILY with your child. This is of great importance to help your child improve not only their reading ability, but also their writing ability and their vocabulary.

“Children who enjoy reading are three times more likely to have good mental well-being than children who don’t enjoy it.” Literacy Trust 2019

Learning Logs

Each child at Bransty will be given a special Learning Log to chart their daily reading. Spaces are provided for the parent, or child (depending on age) to record responses to questions.

A Magpie Words section is included in the Learning Log to help extend your child’s vocabulary. In this section, the children record the new words they have discovered whist reading with the definition. These words are then discussed in class and put up on the class vocabulary board. Children get extra green bubbles for finding these words and then using them in their writing.

Reading Bookmarks

Each child will have a reading bookmark attached to their Learning Log. This bookmark is full of useful questions to ask when hearing your child read. The answers to these can then be recorded in the child’s Learning Log.

Accelerated Reader

The children at Bransty use the Accelerated Reader system for reading. Children who are able to read the first 100 high frequency words with accuracy will be placed on the Accelerated Reader system.  The children will be tested and given a ZPD number which will allow them to choose books at a specific level. When your child has completed a book, they will be asked to complete a comprehension quiz about the text they have just read. These questions are tracked and recorded to help monitor their reading ability. Rewards will be given as the children progress through the levels and books to celebrate their successes. To support your children, reading with them daily will be essential and recording this in the learning logs with comments will promote home school links. Older, more able readers, should be reading independently and recording this in their Learning Logs. It is still important, if you are a parent of a more independent reader, to ask them questions about the text they are reading and encourage their reading to be completed daily.

Reading Question of the week

The children will be given a reading question homework for the week which will be placed in the Child’s Learning Log. This question has the same reading focus from Reception through to Year 6.

The children are encouraged to write the answers to these questions in their Learning Logs.

Reading Celebrations

Each child will be given a green bubble if they have read at home the night before, or during the holidays. The children who read more than four times a week and complete their reading focus question homework, will be given a Reading Achievement Certificate and three Celebrating Learning bubbles.

Children on the Accelerated Reader system have targets to achieve. If they achieve three targets in the year, they are invited to a special reading celebration trip and to attend the Queen Bee lunch.