Our approach to teaching reading

At Houghton Primary School reading is taught within a culture where reading is valued and celebrated. Adults share their love of reading with the children and work to make reading 'irresistible'. They read to and with the children across the school. They seek opportunities to bring reading 'alive' across the curriculum and aim to promote enjoyment alongside skill development.

Phonics are taught systematically to all children from Reception and through Key Stage 1. They continue to be taught systematically in Key Stage 2 as necessary to children who need to continue to develop their phonic knowledge and understanding. 

Reading is taught within English and across the curriculum within a skills based curriculum. Teachers ensure that the core skills identified within the essential learning objectives are taught and assessed across the curriculum, within individual subjects and within ‘topic’ work.

Children read both to themselves and out loud in group and guided reading sessions with an adult at least once a week. Within these sessions they discuss a range of texts and are taught specific reading skills.

From mid-Year 2 children read independently for a minimum of 20 minutes each day. They participate in the Accelerated Reader programme in order to motivate children and to encourage the reading of whole books. 

Teachers use the key learning objectives for their class, planning according to the needs of the children identified through on-going and termly assessments.

In Key Stage 1 we use Oxford Reading Tree (ORT) materials to support our teaching of reading. Children read within a band on ORT, but can choose from a range of books outside of ORT which have been 'book banded' within the same band. Phonics is taught using Letters and Sounds. In Key Stage 2 children choose books from our Accelerated Reader library within a band relating to assessment of their reading. 

1. To read words accurately
2. To understand texts

Key characteristics of writers

We have identified the following characteristics which we aim to develop to enable children to become independent and confident writers:

• The ability to write fluently and with interesting detail on a range of topics throughout the curriculum.

• A vivid imagination which makes readers engage with and enjoy their writing.

• A highly developed vocabulary and an excellent knowledge of writing techniques to extend details or description.

• Well-organised and structured writing which includes a variety of sentence structures.

• Excellent transcription skills that ensure their writing is well presented and punctuated, spelled correctly and neat.

• A love of writing and an appreciation of its educational, cultural and entertainment values.

 In order that our learners are enabled to develop the characteristics of being a writer we teach writing within a contextual approach which provides opportunities children to write independently and fluently on a range of topics throughout the curriculum. We use a range of techniques, inspirations and activities to promote writing.

We support our children by teaching them specific transcription skills, such as handwriting and presentation. We develop their knowledge and understanding of key aspects of excellent writing, such as grammar and spelling. We teach them how to structure and organise their writing. 

Our approach to teaching writing

Writing is taught within English lessons and across the curriculum. We try to find opportunities and stimuli which excite children and engage them purposefully in writing. Teachers ensure that the core skills identified within the essential learning objectives are taught, marked and assessed across the curriculum, within individual subjects and within ‘topic’ work.

Skills are applied at least fortnightly within a ‘Big Write’ task which is unaided. ‘Big Write’ tasks are planned across the curriculum. Teachers use the essential learning objectives and milestones for their class, planning according to the needs of the children identified through on-going assessments. Writing is assessed summatively once a term, using the children’s unaided writing to identify areas of strength and for development.  

Opportunities for writing

In order to ensure that our children are provided with a range of opportunities to enable them to become writers we provide:

	Key Stage One	Key Stage Two
Narrative	Opportunities to write: Stories set in places the children have been Stories with imaginary settings Stories and plays that use the language of fairy tales and traditional tales Stories that mimic significant authors Narrative diaries	Opportunities to write: Stories set in places the children have been Stories that contain mythical, legendary or historical characters or events Stories of adventure Stories of mystery and suspense Letters Plays Stories, letters, scripts and fictional biographies inspired by reading across the curriculum
Non-Fiction	Opportunities to write: Labels Lists Captions Instructions Recounts Glossaries Non-chronological reports Opportunities to present information	Opportunities to write: Instructions Recounts Persuasively Explanations Non-chronological reports Biographies In a journalistic style Arguments Formally
Poetry	Opportunities to write: Poems that use pattern, rhyme and description Nonsense and humorous poems and limericks	Opportunities to write: Haiku Cinquain Poems that convey an image (simile word play, rhyme and metaphor) Opportunities to learn by heart and perform a significant poem

 Key learning objectives for writing

We have identified 10 key learning objective for writing:

Composition:

1. To write with purpose
2. To use imaginative description
3. To organise writing appropriately
4. To use paragraphs
5. To use sentences appropriately

Transcription:

1. To present neatly
2. To spell correctly
3. To punctuate accurately

Analysis and Presentation:

1. To analyse writing
2. To present writing

COMMUNICATION

Key characteristics of excellent communicators

We have identified the following characteristics which we aim to develop to enable children to become independent and confident communicators:

• An exceptional talent for listening attentively so as to understand what is being said.

• A rich and varied vocabulary that gives clarity and interest to conversations.

• Clear speech that can be easily understood by a range of audiences.

• An excellent grasp of the rules used in English conversation, such as tenses and the grammatical structure of sentences.

• A highly developed ability to tell stories that capture the interest and imagination of the audience.

• A delight in initiating and joining in conversations.

• Respect for others when communicating, even when views differ.

Our approach to teaching communication

Communication skills are taught within English and across the curriculum. Teachers plan opportunities and stimuli for purposeful communication which enable children to develop confidence and clarity in their talk as well as securing good listening and presenting skills. Through the development of a culture where speaking and listening is valued and recognised as essential to learning children communicate well with their peers and with adults. Teachers ensure that the core skills identified within the key learning objectives are taught and assessed across the curriculum, within individual subjects and within ‘topic’ work.

Teachers use the learning objectives for their class, planning according to the needs of the children identified through on-going and termly assessments. They provide a range of opportunities for communication within small groups, within the class and to larger audiences across the year.

Opportunities for communicating

In order to ensure that our children are provided with a range of opportunities to enable them to become communicators we provide:

Key Stage One and Key Stage Two

Opportunities to: Engage in meaningful conversations in all areas of the curriculum. Listen to and learn a wide range of subject specific vocabulary. Through reading identify vocabulary that enriches and enlivens stories. Speak to small and larger audiences at frequent intervals. Practise and rehearse sentences and stories, gaining feedback on the overall effect and use of standard English. Listen to and tell stories often so as to internalise the structure. Debate issues and formulate well-constructed points.

Key learning objectives for communication

We have identified 5 key learning objectives for communication:

1. To listen carefully and understand
2. To speak with clarity
3. To develop wide and interesting vocabulary
4. To tell stories with structure
5. To hold conversations and debates