Reading in Key Stage 1 at Avonmouth C of E Primary School
Key Stage 1 (Year groups 1 and 2) is really the time when children ‘take-off’ with their reading skills. Following on from Early Years the children learn to read through a combination of:
· Daily Phonics lessons (see the Phonics section of our website).
· Daily Guided Reading sessions
· Home reading practice (at least 3 times per week) – phonetically decodable ULS book, keywords and sounds to learn.
The aim is to have children reading confidently and fluently by the end of Year 1 (90+ words per minute), then further developing their fluency, vocabulary, range of reading material and comprehension skills in Year 2.
At Avonmouth CE Primary we also want children to grow a genuine love of reading books and stories. In our Key Stage 1 classes we have daily (sometimes twice-daily) story times. This is when children listen to adults reading to them. We encourage all children to engage in these times – asking them to predict what might happen next; discussing the story, characters and illustrations; and joining in with familiar phrases or rhymes. We want children to be inspired, excited and intrigued by books. Children are encouraged to share what they love about certain stories and their own reading preferences. By listening to engaging texts, children build up their own bank of story language which they can use in their own writing (through out Talk for Writing approach).
As well as a phonetically decodable ULS reading book (matched accurately to the child’s level), children also take home a ‘sharing book’. This is a high-quality picture book to be shared through the week at home. Parents are required to read this book to their child and share ideas and opinions (‘book talk’).
Children in KS1 have lots of opportunities to read and enjoy books through:
- Daily guided reading sessions. Children are put into small groups based on their phonetic ability. They work closley with an adult, following the ULS programme. These sessions allow for focused, personalised teaching and give every child the chance to develop their decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills in a supportive environment. The small group setting means each child receives targeted support, helping them to make rapid and meaningful progress.
- Exciting and engaging book corners full of high-quality texts – with lots of time given to access these.
- Visits to our newly refurbished school library
- Book events in school such as World Book Day.