Phonics & Reading
Throughout the school phonics is taught daily with a focus on using appropriate strategies to support the group. With this in mind classes use Sounds Write as a primary model.
Sounds-Write is a stand-alone linguistic phonics programme that provides training in the teaching of reading and spelling for teaching practitioners working at primary and secondary levels. The programme is designed to be delivered whole class, small group, or one to one and all participants on our courses receive everything required to implement Sounds-Write at each of these levels.
Sounds-Write is acknowledged by the DfE as meeting ALL its criteria for an effective phonics teaching programme. It is a very highly structured, multi-sensory, incremental and code-oriented, instructional approach to teaching children to read and spell. The Sounds-Write programme can be implemented in the classroom with a minimum of planning, preparation and expense, and it provides fast and effective teaching for children at all levels.
Once pupils begin to read they are assigned an appropriate level of book which matches the sounds write stages to read in school. Pupils are encouraged to read daily in school and as much as possible at home. The library holds a wide range of scheme books which allow pupils to progress their reading at an appropriate pace for them, with a range of subjects and topics for different ages. Reading is assessed through the use of key words, progressing onto more formal tests of accuracy and comprehension which give age scores. These are reported as part of the annual review process.
There is also a particular focus on making reading fun and accessible for pupils through websites like Teach your Monster to Read and Multi-Sensory books.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader is a computer program that helps teachers manage and monitor children’s independent reading practice. Your child picks a book at their own level and reads it at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short quiz on the computer. (Passing the quiz is an indication that your child understood what was read.) Accelerated Reader gives children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results, which the teacher then uses to help your child set goals and direct ongoing reading practice.
Children using Accelerated Reader choose their own books to read, rather than having one assigned to them. This makes reading a much more enjoyable experience as they can choose books that are interesting to them.
myON
To go with Accelerated Reader, The Mendip School also has access to Myon which is an online library that gives pupils access to more than 6,000 enhanced digital books. Titles are dynamically matched to each individual student’s interests, grade and Lexile® reading level. myON Reader fosters pupil engagement and achievement. Each child has their own Username and Password to access this online library (please ask your child’s teacher).
Click on the link to go to Accelerated Reader:
https://ukhosted117.renlearn.co.uk/6700659/default.aspx
Click on the link for a Parent Guide:
