Reading

Creating a life-long love of reading and books at Much Marcle C of E Primary School is our aim for every child who walks through our doors. It is our belief that every child should want to read for pleasure, not only while they are with us, but far beyond the school gates. We want to open up a treasure trove of wonder and joy for curious young minds. Every child needs to be given the tools to develop into an enthusiastic and confident reader. Reading improves language and vocabulary, inspires imagination and gives everyone the opportunity to develop and foster new interests.

“Books crowbar the world open for you.”

Katherine Rundell

Teachers nurture a love of books by placing reading at the centre of the curriculum, introducing new texts with enthusiasm and enjoyment, promoting a sense of wonder and expectation as the text is explored. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

School Library

At Much Marcle we have a well-resourced and orgainsed library where children can independently choose an age appropriate book at their level to read in school and at home. There is a superb variety of reading material available including fiction, non-fiction, picture books, poetry, topic books from which the children can find a book to fall in love with or to further their interests.

Book Corner

Each classroom has a well organised book corner in which books are rotated each term to offer children different options. There is a wide range of reading material available including newspapers, magazines, comics, poetry and non-fiction, as well as fiction.

Reading for pleasure

Children across the entire school are given ‘Reading for Pleasure ‘ time daily between 1.15 and 1.30. The children listen to their class teacher reading and an engaging and exciting story they may not be able to access themselves. This is often chosen by the class or linked to topics. This is to aid a love of reading and allow children to access books with a wider range of vocabulary.

Old and Bold/ New and Gold

Classrooms are displayed with two signs. 'Old and Bold' and 'New and Gold'. Old and Bold being older books that are classics and stories well known to most children. New and Gold being books that are more modern that the children enjoy but also books that challenge stereotypes and link to our society today.

Mirrors and Windows

We have a selection of newly purchased books and books in our library and classrooms to choose to read to the children or the children can take home. These books like lots of books are 'Windows' - open children's eyes to the wider world, and 'Mirrors' - mirror own lives, thought, feeling or situations. These books are discussed and read with the children to give them a wider reading experience and to reflect the world we live in.

Reading Buddies

On Friday afternoons our older children in KS2 are paired up with our younger children in KS1 and Reception to read together. This helps to model good reading and promote and enjoyment of reading from an early age.

So, we have children at Much Marcle who are:

• Confident children who can talk about what they have read

• Children who are enjoying their learning in Reading sessions

• Depth of understanding/application in different reading skills

• Children ready for the next step in education

• Fluent readers who can comprehend

• Children will be able to transfer the taught skills into their reading and writing

• Children who love reading!

Reading Ministry

We have a reading ministry as part of our school parliament. These children have been chosen to foster a whole school ethos to enjoy reading. These children have been selected to look after our school library, create a reading newsletter, help set reading challenges. This gives them a feeling of responsibility and working with the Reading Lead helps to foster a love of reading and create the best reading environments possible.