ENGLISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF THE FUTURE, THE MOST IMPORTANT TOOL YOU’LL EVER NEED, NO MATTER WHAT CAREER YOU CHOOSE. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENGLISH. MAKE IT YOUR RIGHT!

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

READING AT MILLBROOK

Reading

The Read, Write Inc. programme supports reading and writing from Nursery/Reception and throughout Key Stage 1.

The children will receive a RWI reading book to take home and these are all colour coded.  Children are assessed regularly and move through the levels quickly.  Your child will also be given a colour band to choose their home reading book from which will help to ensure that the book they select is at about the right reading level for them. Every colour band includes books from a range of reading schemes so that they will experience a range of stories, text types and illustrations.

Destination Reader Information for Parents and Carers

Accelerated Reader Information for Parents and Carers

Millbrook children receive long term, ongoing support, advice and motivational discussions from our Patron Authors.

Author Visits to Millbrook

The children have been inspired by meeting and talking to authors at school. Some children have been pairing up as author and illustrator planning their book making business already!

PHONICS AT MILLBROOK

Phonics

At Millbrook Park Primary School, early reading is taught using synthetic phonics as the main approach to reading.

Pupils are systematically taught the phonemes (sounds), how to blend the sounds all through the word for reading, and how to segment the sounds in order to write words. They are taught to use their phonic skills and knowledge as their first approach to reading, but are also taught high frequency words which do not completely follow the phonic rules.

We use the highly successful Read Write Inc.  Phonics programme to teach our children to read, write and spell.  Our children do well in the phonics screening check and by Year 2, the majority are fluent readers with the best chance of success in the KS1 tests.

Ruth Miskin Training recognise us for teaching the programme with fidelity and passion – we know what it takes to make reading and writing pleasurable and rewarding for our children.

This badge recognises that we: 

To visit the parent pages on the Ruth Miskin Training website go to:

www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents

 or follow them on Facebook or Twitter. 

We run regular RWI workshops for parents and carers so that you can find out how we teach phonics and reading at Millbrook Park Primary.  These workshops will also help you to support your child's learning at home.  

Read, Write, Inc (RWI) information for carers and parents

Phonics Terminology for parents and carers

Complex Speed Sounds Chart

YEAR 1 PHONICS SCREENING CHECK

At the end of Year 1, children will undertake a statutory phonics screening check.

This is a short assessment to make sure that children have learnt phonics to an appropriate standard.

There are 40 words in the screening check which children are asked to read on a one-to-one basis with their teacher. The check is made up of 'real words' (eg. 'mud') and 'non-words' (eg. 'splog') and children need to apply their phonic knowledge to read all words.

Preparation for the check takes place during the daily phonics session, but you can help your child at home by practising phonics on a regular basis.

 Phonics Screener Information for parents and carers

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READING BUDDIES

We run a Reading Buddy Scheme with older pupils reading with, and building positive relationships with younger pupils every week.

WRITING AT MILLBROOK

WRITING

Children will develop the stamina and skills to write at length, with accurate spelling and punctuation.

They will be taught the correct use of grammar. They will build on what they have been taught to expand the range of their writing and the variety of the grammar they use. The writing they do will include narratives, explanations, descriptions, comparisons, summaries and evaluations. Such writing supports them in rehearsing, understanding and consolidating what they have heard or read.

Writing Knowledge & Skills_Ladder

Millbrook Writing Genre Progression Map

ORACY AT MILLBROOK

SPOKEN LANGUAGE

Children will be taught to speak clearly and convey ideas confidently using Standard English.

They will learn to justify ideas with reasons; ask questions to check understanding; develop vocabulary and build knowledge; negotiate; evaluate and build on the ideas of others; and select the appropriate register for effective communication. They will be taught to give well-structured descriptions and explanations and develop their understanding through exploring ideas. This will enable them to clarify their thinking as well as organise their ideas for writing.

VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

Children’s command of vocabulary is key to their learning and progress across the whole curriculum.

Teachers will, therefore, develop vocabulary actively, building systematically on children’s current knowledge. They will increase pupils’ store of words in general. Simultaneously, they should also make links between known and new vocabulary and discuss the shades of meaning in similar words. In this way, children will expand the vocabulary choices that are available to them when they write. It is particularly important to introduce children into the language which defines each subject in its own right, such as accurate mathematical and scientific language.

LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

We will develop pupils’ spoken language, reading, writing and vocabulary as integral aspects of the teaching of every subject.

English is both a subject in its own right and the medium for teaching. For children, understanding the language will provide access to the whole curriculum. Fluency in the English language is an essential foundation for success in all subjects.

ENGLISH OVERVIEW

The ability to read and write well is a vital skill for all children, paving the way for an enjoyable and successful school experience.

Children learn and practise many of the skills that they need for reading and writing from a very early age.

They do this through a wide range of activities and experiences, at home, and in school.

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the written and spoken word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils: