Reading – whole class

Whole-Class Reading

From KS1 upwards, we use a whole-class reading approach. This provides children with the opportunity for children to dive more deeply into a book. We use a three-pronged approach to reading (‘First Encounters’, ‘Digging Deeper’ and ‘Back to me’) to ensure that children develop a wider understanding of what is being read. 

A typical whole-class reading session involves the teacher reading a high-quality, age-appropriate story, non-fiction text or poem that will challenge all pupils. The texts are usually linked to the class topic. The teacher reads the text to the class, modelling fluency and intonation, and, where possible, pupils follow the text with their own copy. The teacher uses questioning and discussion to help pupils understand new vocabulary and develop their understanding of the text.  

Pupils then work on activities that help them to develop their comprehension of the text even further. Activities do not always need a written outcome. For example, you may use drama to help children explore a character through role play, debates or freeze frames.

Please see our long-term plan to see which books are covered in whole class reading:

Whole Class Guided Reading Overview – Cycle A

Whole Class Guided Reading Overview – Cycle B

Reading for Pleasure

Reading for pleasure is at the heart of our reading curriculum. At Osbaldwick, we believe that it is vitally important that children not only read, but that they also enjoy reading. In order to promote enjoyment for reading, we undertake the following initiatives:

Class book

Every teacher in the school reads aloud to their class daily from a class book. Each teacher has a set of age-appropriate reading for pleasure books which cover fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The children enjoy listening to a story for enjoyment without stopping to study the book as they would in a lesson. The children often take part in a class vote to see which book they will read next. In Nursery, Reception and KS1, the children also have an author of the term and these books are read by the teacher during the class book time.

See the documents below to see a selection of books that we read during this time:

Class Books Ks2

KS1 – Author of the Term

EYFS – Author of the Term.docx

ERIC Time

After lunch, children in KS2 spend 15 minutes enjoying a book in their classroom. This is a chance for the children to enjoy a book of their choice. Some children choose to read by themselves, others choose to read non-fiction books and share facts and others choose to read jokes to each other. The focus of this session is for the children to fully get immersed in a book in an enjoyable manner.

The Library

The school libraries have been rearranged in order to make them more accessible to pupils. They should now easily be able to find the books they would like to read! Children from all classes are encouraged to take a library book home and share their opinions of the books that they have read with their peers. New books are bought regularly in order to restock the library and offer pupils a wider range of texts. 

Please see our Reading Wishlist to see which books we are hoping to add to our libraries.

https://osbaldwick.ebor.academy/curriculum/reading-wishlist/