Reading information

Things to know:

• reading precedes writing (sounds obvious, but expect reading levels to be higher than writing)
• children learn to read using phonics (how the letters sound and blending) as well as ‘sight’ reading whole words (and some words are not pronounced phonetically – eg. was).  Reynalds Cross uses ‘Letters and sounds’, although some children may have used other phonics programmes including Letterland and Jolly phonics.  Essentially, they teach similar things – that letters have corresponding sounds.  They are taught in phases.  See useful links below for online games/resources to support learning at home.
• reading levels do not just refer to being able to read aloud a word (or sound it out) but understand what the text means.  For lower levels (P and 1) this is quite straightforward, eg. retrieving the information (The dog was sitting on a blue mat.  Comprehension question – what colour mat was the dog sitting on?).  As the reading ability progresses, so does comprehension, leading on to understanding why an author chose those words or what the author really means (inference).  These are called assessment focuses, (or AFs to teachers).  If you would like more information, or want to know how you can help, please let me know.
• reading is an essential life skill – every lesson has some aspect of reading.  For some children, reading symbols or signs rather than words is a focus.

Useful links

to follow