Reading Books

Your child will have at least two books on the go! One may be left in school - depending on your child's reading habits.  We encourage all children to read a broad range of genres and so this first book may be poetry, non-fiction, action adventure or science fiction - for example.  The second book is chosen by your child simply for the love of reading from the school library.  Please encourage your child to read at least 15 minutes every day and far more if possible.  Regular reading to an adult - even in years 5 and 6 - helps to keep children motivated to read. There are many benefits of you continuing to read to them too, especially if you feel they have a lull in their enthusiasm for reading.  A chapter or two from you may help to tempt them back into a new or a familiar and loved book.

This website contains lots of information about how we teach reading and how we instill a love of reading.  Please take time to read our policies and the bank of information including the section for parents.

Reading Homework

What will homework be and how can I support my child?

Reading homework takes the form of a short piece to read. Sometimes the texts will link to learning we are doing in the classroom, and sometimes it may be something to further broaden their understanding of the world. The texts will be followed by a few questions where children can demonstrate their understanding. Homework can either be completed independently or with an adult to support them in reading and discussing their understanding. It is not designed to be a test but another opportunity to engage in reading. 

Encouraging your child to read the piece out loud and considering their prosody (volume, expression, pace) would be greatly beneficial for them.

How will homework be set?

Children can either complete their homework on Purple Mash, or they can take a paper copy home if they would prefer. Reading homework will be set each Monday and children will have a week to complete it.

Why is it important to prioritise reading?

Developing reading is key to pupils’ ability to access to the curriculum, ongoing learning and academic outcomes. Beyond this, reading fosters creativity, empathy and emotional well-being, providing children with stories and ideas that expand their horizons and build on their understanding of the world they live in.