In KS2 we focus each weekly reading session on the eight curriculum strands of reading. These areas focus on retrieval, explanation, summary, inference, prediction, comparison and vocabulary. We call these VIPERS. Teachers teach children how to answer questions on the strands they are teaching. Reading lessons are linked to the class text or can also be stand-alone skills-based lessons. Our early morning sessions at 8:15 also focus on these reading strands. Throughout the week, the class teacher and support staff listen to pupils read where necessary.

Any child who needs additional practice has daily Keep-up support, taught by a fully trained adult. Keep-up lessons match the structure of class teaching, and use the same procedures, resources and mantras, but in smaller steps with more repetition, so that every child secures their learning. Pupils remain on the reading scheme from KS1 if they need more support with their fluency and comprehension.

Our school library is also used regularly, with pupils choosing their own books to read and share at home with parents/guardians. Shared reading is done frequently within lessons, which gives teachers opportunities for more formative assessments. All of the above provides the class teacher with a comprehensive picture of a pupil’s reading ability and progress.

In Year 3-4 children take home a ‘reading scrapbook’’ where they document their reading enjoyment book. In Year 5 and 6 children use ‘Padlet’ online.  They are set a different ‘reading question each week and pupils can see what their classmates are reading. We also have a reading newsletter sent home half-termly to document our progress in reading throughout the school. Please make sure you have a look and show it to your children.

There are lots of ways that you can help your child at home, try and read with them daily for at least five to ten minutes. Before reading a book you could talk about the title, look at the cover and predict what you might find inside. After reading each page you could summarise what you have read so far and then discuss what might happen next. You may wish to use the VIPERS question starters and reading questions (find link below) to help ensure your child is comprehending what they are reading. Please allow time for discussion about the book and events that have happened.

Useful links:

https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-us/resource/vipers-stems-en-gb

https://www.literacyshedplus.com/en-us/browse/reading-vipers