Reading

Cultivating a Lifelong Love of Learning

Every child reads, and is read to, every day. This is because we recognise that reading is the gateway to learning, and therefore it is very important that your child reads at home as well as in school. Reading is the skill prioritised above all others and all children are expected to develop reading fluency with good understanding of what they have read. Ensuring high levels of motivation for reading encourages children to develop the habit for both pleasure and for information.  Records of children reading should be entered into the reading records and signed by an adult.

Little Wandle

At Beam, we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds for our phonics programme, as it has successfully supported thousands of schools to grow confident readers who enjoy Reading for Pleasure.

Please press here to find the full Reception and Year 1 teaching programme overview to see what your child will learn and when.

LITTLE WANDLE PHONICS AND READING PRESENTATION TO RECEPTION PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Please find below Mrs Harle's informative Little Wandle phonics and reading presentation to parents and guardians (November. 2023).

Reception

Reception - Autumn 1 (04.09.23 - 20.10.23) - Phase 2 grapheme

Press here for a guide to see how your child is taught to say their sounds in Reception.

Reception - Autumn 2 (30.10.23 - 23.12.23) - Phase 2 grapheme

Press here for a guide to see how your child is taught to say their sounds in Reception.

Reception - Spring 1 (04.01.24 - 16.02.24) - Phase 3

Press here for a guide to see how your child is taught to say their sounds in Reception.

Year 1 Sounds

Press here for a guide to see how your child is taught to say their phase 5 sounds in Year 1.

How to write capital letters

Download a guide to how children are taught to write capital letters

Year 1 

Reading at Home

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

1.  A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

2.  A sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!