Phonics and Reading

Phonics and Reading

At Puttenham CofE Infant school we understand the importance of reading as the key to effective learning and progress. We know through educational research that children will increase and improve their vocabulary through extensive reading and this in turn supports their writing. We have developed a reading culture so that children appreciate and love books. The skills they learn will help to prepare them for learning in every area of the curriculum.

Reading is taught in a daily, discrete phonics lesson using the Read, Write Inc. systematic phonics programme. This is a well-structured programme which teaches children to read accurately, fluently and with good comprehension. They will read with a reading partner during their phonics sessions and with an adult on a one to one basis each week. We also encourage children to read at home with a combination of decodable eBooks, shared reading books and library books. The children will also have the opportunities to listen to stories.

We have a dedicated story at the end of the day. Every class has their ‘favourite five’ books, which they read repeatedly during the half term. These books become very familiar to the children and encourage language acquisition, discussion and questioning. 

We encourage reading by having a book area in each class where children can enjoy reading books of their choice, a well-stocked library and reading shed in the playground.

The children are given the opportunity to watch and join in with Bible storytelling each week in our 'Open the Book' assemblies.

More information about reading including our Read, Write, Inc parents' meeting powerpoint and resources can be found by clicking 'How we teach reading' in the curriculum section of the website.