Reading

We teach reading to equip students with a love of reading for pleasure, the confidence to read aloud, and the ability to understand and interpret what they read.

At TGS we deliver Guided Reading lessons  using teaching principles outlined in Reading Reconsidered by Doug Lemov. These principles help to create a  low-threat, high-accountability environment, where all children are enabled to be successful readers in their own right. In Key Stage 2, reading skills are taught to the whole class through the study of a high-quality text, and by complementing and supplementing this reading with a skilful use of linked texts and non-fiction.

Lessons consist of two main parts: pupils read the text, and then build and demonstrate their comprehension skills by responding to national curriculum style questions. The main principles in the reading portion of the lesson are ‘Accountable Independent Reading’ (an approach that helps ensure that independent reading is accountable and of high quality) and ‘Control the Game’ (a subtle engineering of how you call on students to read aloud in a way which ensures that not only the primary reader but all readers are benefiting.)  

"The books we read in guided reading are funny and meaningful."

"I love that I can be creative in writing and I have improved every lesson."

Non-fiction is taught alongside the main text in order to assist with pupils’ comprehension and to enable deeper analysis of key themes. Children also have access to more resistant complimentary texts alongside the class book.

Year 2 – Next Phase Readiness

In the summer term of Year 2, the vast majority of children will have completed the RWI (phonics) pathway, including a RWI comprehension package. This means Year 2 children will spend the summer term being introduced to the Reading Reconsidered Principles through the means of a quality whole class text. This not only prepares them well for KS2 but also allows children to apply their decoding skills to comprehension strategies. All of the expectations for KS2 Reading apply to the Year 2 summer curriculum. 

Pupils’ reading comprehension is assessed using written and verbal feedback in KS2 against the key skills taught in the lesson. Pupils can respond to teacher feedback and use a purple pen to edit their responses to National Curriculum style questions. Termly, pupils' reading is assessed using STAR, an online assessment that provides a standardised score and reading age that teachers use to inform their planning.