Reading Lesson

Each morning starts with the daily Reading Lesson across the school. We teach children to read fluently and to understand and respond imaginatively to texts, while nurturing their enjoyment of literature. In Early Years and Key Stage one, children have a weekly reading session in small groups or one to one with the teacher and when ready have opportunities to complete comprehension, word and sentence tasks to support their reading development. In Key Stage Two, we teach a daily whole class reading session where the main focus is to extend comprehension skills.

English Lessons

We place value on quality texts that both engage the imagination and support the development of literacy skills. In lessons, the children read and respond to a range of fiction and non-fiction books and use them as a starting point for their own writing. They take part in activities that involve reading, writing, role play, drama, discussion, debate, presentation, recitation. Teachers plan from the National Curriculum for English, 2014, with objectives for Reading, Writing, Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling.

We recognise how important it is for children to use their knowledge and skills in a relevant context in order to bring their learning to life. English skills are applied across the curriculum, with opportunities to read and write in Topic work, Art and Science.

English in the Early Years

In Nursery and Reception, teachers plan from the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework 2014. Communication and Language, Reading and Writing are encouraged everyday and opportunities are ever present in the environment. Children have opportunities to explore, use, and enjoy words and text. They learn to respond to adults and to each other, listen carefully, and practise their communication skills through methods such as role-play, story-telling and shared writing.

Phonics and Handwriting

Phonics is taught every day in EYFS, Year 1 and 2, using the Read Write Inc. scheme of work. In Nursery, the children also develop their fine motor skills ready for writing, through the Funky Fingers scheme.  Our classrooms are rich with phonics resources, surrounding children in a wealth of tools to develop their skills in reading and writing. Handwriting is taught regularly using the Penpals scheme of work to support the development of a fluent, legible script. For more information, clisk on the links below.

How We Teach Phonics at Canonbury

CPS Handwriting Policy