We use a Reading Scheme for home reading for children in Year 3 to Year 6.  In Year 5 and 6, some children will move onto our Free Reader Scheme - more information about this can be found below. 

Each child in school is assessed by their class teacher and put onto an appropriate stage. This scheme is designed to help children build fluency when reading so each child will be put into a stage where they can read most of the words in the book. 

When class teachers listen to children read, they are listening for their use of expression and how well they recognise and decode words. This includes how they phrase their reading aloud such as whether they read primarily in small chunks (2-3 words at a time) or following the punctuation in the text. A confident, fluent reader reads at an appropriate volume with expression. 

In order to develop their reading fluency, it is important that all children practise reading aloud for at least 10 minutes each day in Y3 and Y4. In Y5 and Y6, children should still practise reading aloud but should also develop their reading stamina by aiming to read for 20-30 minutes per day. It will also really help to hear as many texts as possible read aloud by fluent readers whether this is through an adult reading aloud at home or listening to audiobooks. 

Reading Record

Each child in school has been issued with a reading record. This reading record is used to record their reading at home and to show that they have completed their reading book. In Y5 and 6, children may start to record their own reading in this record but we ask that an adult continues to check this and still listens to their reading aloud. 
In the centre of the reading record, there is a spelling list and some tips for reading which you may find helpful. 
When a reading book has been finished, the completed reading record should be given to class teachers so new books can be issued. 

Home Reading Books 

We use printed books for all children on the reading scheme.  When your child has completed their reading book, they should return it to school with their completed reading record so this can be changed. 

Reading Fluency Strategies 

Reading Fluency: The ability to read with pace, accuracy and expression 
These strategies can be used when reading aloud and can help to develop reading fluency and confidence when reading aloud. They also work fantastically with poetry so you may want to try them out with your favourite poem. 

Echo Reading : An adult reads one line/sentence of text and the child echoes back, imitating the expression the adult has used. The roles can also be reversed where the child reads and the adult echoes back. 

Choral Reading: After practising reading a short section of text, try reading in chorus together. Try to keep the same pace while following the punctuation.  This can also work with reading along with an audiobook or poetry performance. 

Paired Reading: Children read with a partner (could be an adult or another child) taking it in turns to read a sentence of the text. 

Free Reader

When children become a Free Reader, they will have access to a different set of fiction, poetry and non-fiction texts. They will be able to choose a book to read and can record their reading in their reading record. Once they have completed a book, they will need to complete two activities from their Book Bingo sheet. This will help them to deepen their understanding of the book they have chosen. 

When choosing a book, we ask children to try to choose something that they normally wouldn't think to pick. Particularly in Year 5 and 6, it is important that children are challenging themselves to read a range of different genres including poetry and non-fiction texts.