Reading

Through the Enriched Curriculum the teachers aim to:

• Provide a literate environment in which children are encouraged to look at books in an appropriate fashion.
• Present a wide range of texts
• Develop children’s handling of books and introduce children to language about books
• Introduce a range of reading strategies
•  Develop sight vocabulary

Children will bring home readers when they are ready. It is important that the children read their books regularly with an adult.  Re-reading books develop confidence and help children retain sight vocabulary.

We enjoy bringing our high frequency words to life.

Phonics

Phonics is taught through a programme called Linguistic Phonics. Within this programme the children will participate in daily speaking and listening activities that are well matched to their developing interests and abilities. The children will be given the opportunity to explore sounds in words throughout all the areas of learning as well as in planned and adult-led activities with groups and individuals in order to foster their curiosity in letter shapes and sounds. Teachers will use observations and assessments to plan for progression and to identify children who need additional support.

Oral Language

Oral language is the foundation for all aspects of learning within the enriched curriculum. Children are encouraged to explain what they are doing, express their feelings, ask questions, give instructions, initiate conversations, use puppets and to develop language through imaginative play.

Writing

Children enjoy writing for a variety of reasons and purposes. The teacher will provide opportunities for children to learn how to write with chalk, paint, sand and at the writing table.

Children will be given extensive opportunities to write during structured play activities. The teacher encourages the children to make a connection between their drawings and their writing. The teacher will show children in a sensitive manner how to from letters correctly - no more pages and pages of letters.

Teachers act as role models for writing during shared writing sessions. Teachers will think aloud, verbalising their thought processes, explaining how to listen to and record the sounds inside words, how to start a sentence, when to use a capital letter, full stop and other punctuation.

Mark making activities.