Longford loves Reading

“Reading gives you the power to be whoever you want to be” 

Learning to read 

No doubt you will come across the word ‘Phonics’ as soon as your child starts school. Phonics is a method of learning to read words that is taught right from the start of Reception/Nursery. 

Children are taught to read letters or groups of letters by saying the sound(s) they represent. Children can then start to read words by blending the sounds together to make a word. This is a very exciting time as the more accurate and fluent your child becomes the more they are likely to enjoy reading. There is strong evidence linking reading for pleasure and educational outcomes, but the benefits go beyond this and stretch throughout a person’s life. 

Love of reading 

Research specifically shows that the benefits of reading are more likely to be felt when reading takes place through free choice. The outcomes of reading will occur more often and more strongly if reading is enjoyable in the first instance. This is why developing a love of reading from the earliest moments is so important. 

Reading should be an everyday part of our lives, something we choose to do at all ages. At Longford Park Primary School we have a culture of reading for enjoyment that will develop a lifelong love of reading which could benefit children in so many ways. We recognise that reading for pleasure will encourage children to succeed both academically and socially. 

At Longford Park Primary we are all passionate to make a difference and promote this love of reading. We aim to empower children to explore the multitude of worlds beyond their own world.  

Here are some of the things we do: 

1. Class reading  

2. Reading with the community 

3. Reading environment 

4. World Book Day 

5. Inspiring school library 

6. Reading recommendations 

Find out how children learn to read with  learn to read with phonics, and how you can help your child's reading at home. 

Getting ready for reading (Ages 3-4) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/getting-ready-for-reading-ages-3-4/ 

Starting to read (Ages 4-5) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/starting-to-read-ages-4-5/ 

Building on reading skills (Ages 5-6) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/building-on-reading-skills-ages-5-6/ 

Developing confidence as a reader (Ages 6-7) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/developing-confidence-as-a-reader-ages-6-7/ 

Building independence (Ages 7-9) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/building-independence-as-a-reader-ages-7-9/ 

Encouraging reading (Ages 9-11) 

https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading/building-independence-as-a-reader-ages-7-9/ 

Inspiring reading spaces 

Useful Websites 

http://www.wordsforlife.org.uk/ 

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture/libraries/find-library/banbury-library 

https://schoolreadinglist.co.uk/ 

Questions that may be useful when reading with your children:  

We have included some questions below as examples of starting points that may help further promote this depth of reading discussion and encourage richer, more engaged responses to what the children have been reading: 

• What did you like? …Why/ why not?  

• What have you found out? …Tell me more about that! 

•  Wow! Show me…  

• Really?!  

•  What do you think will happen?  

• What can you find out about from that? 

•  This bit reminds me of…. 

•  What do you think?  

• How do you feel about…?  

• Can you explain that to me? 

•  Do you agree with that opinion? 

•  Do you like the bit where…?  

• I wonder if…?  

• I would hate that to happen to me – would you? 

•  I wonder why the writer has done that? 

•  What has happened so far? 

•  Is it what you expected to happen?  

• What might happen next?  

• How do you think the story might end?  

• Who is your favourite character? Why?  

• Who is the character you like least? Why?  

• Find 2 sentences, which describe the setting.  

• Is the plot fast or slow moving? Find some evidence in the text which supports your view. 

•  Which part of the story is your favourite / least favourite? Why? 

•  Would you change any part of the story? How? 

•  Would you change any of the characters? How?  

• Which part of the story was the funniest, scariest, saddest, and happiest? Find some evidence in the text to support your opinion.  

• Would you like to read another book by this author? Why? 

•  Does your opinion of this character change during the story? How? Why? 

•  If you met one of the characters from the story, what would you say to him / her? 

Click on the image to hear Scarlett tell us about her favourite Author.

Click on the image to hear George tell us about his favourite Author.