English
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Reading
Being able to read is a necessary life skill and our aim is for all children to develop a love of reading and to leave Harmans Water Primary School reading easily and fluently, with good understanding. The teaching of reading begins in our Nursery where children are introduced to the phonic sounds. We follow the ‘Read Write Inc Phonics’ programme to teach early reading skills and, from Reception, children are taught sounds, letters and words in small groups for 30 minutes each day. Once the children have mastered phonics and can read fluently, they engage in daily whole-class reading sessions which are based around a quality text.
Across the school, children also enjoy ‘Reading for Pleasure’ sessions in their classroom or outside (weather permitting) where they can choose from books, comics, e-books, newspapers or bring something to read in from home to enjoy. Story time is also a high priority and our teachers share a variety of stories, poems and non-fiction with the children at the end of each day.
We have a wide selection of progressive colour-banded books for the children to choose from for home reading and we encourage them to change their books regularly. Every class also visits the library once a week to select books to take home. Children who complete reading homework are rewarded with a bookmark to collect stickers on. These bookmarks are exchanged for raffle tickets and books are given as prizes to the winners.
Writing
The teaching of writing relates closely to the teaching of reading. The quality texts that are studied in class become the stimulus for children’s writing. We use the principles of ‘Talk for Writing’ where, during each unit studied, children move through 3 phases of writing that begin with oral rehearsal and drama work before engaging in supported writing and finally fully independent writing. We give children real-life purposes for their writing, encourage creativity and imagination, and provide opportunities for writing across the curriculum. We have also introduced an app on iPads so that the children can create their own e-books!
Handwriting is taught using an interactive programme with a cursive script. This supports children to write legibly and at speed.
Spelling is taught discretely using the ‘Read Write Inc’ programme, as well as through reading and writing sessions. Children learn to understand punctuation and grammar through English sessions, word/sentence games and direct teaching.