Accelerated Reader
We use Accelerated Reader to support children's independent reading practice. More information can be found on the Accelerated Reader page.
We encourage children to continue to read aloud at home. Although most children can read fluently, errors with pronunciation, punctuation and expression can become embedded when children read to themselves and are not corrected.
Reading in Class
A
weekly lesson is dedicated to the teaching of 'Reading Skills'. Often these link to Writing and Topic lessons. Children will study full-length novels; extracts from fiction and non-fiction sources; a short novel study and poetry to enrich their reading experience. This will enhance their reading journey and support them to become independent and confident readers as well as developing their comprehension skills. Sometimes children will be set homework based on these class reading lessons.
In Term 1, Primary 6 study non-fiction biographies of well-known and/or historical figures.
In Term 2, Primary 6 study the short novel, 'The Giant's Necklace' by Michael Morpurgo.
In Term 3, Primary 6 focus on Scots poetry including Robert Burns. After February half-term, they undertake a novel study on 'Holes' by Louis Sachar.
In Term 4, Primary 6 study the post-apocalyptic novel, 'The City of Ember' by Jeanne DuPrau.
Helping at Home
Supporting your child's reading skills
- Correct pronunciation or expression errors.
- Support their interpretation of the punctuation of the text, ensuring that they acknowledge pauses created by commas or full stops.
- Take a turn in reading. Modelling for your child will support their own reading aloud.
- Share the novel with your child and, if time, read it for yourself. By taking an interest in your child’s reading you will be able to discuss and encourage analysis of the text with your child.
- Use the written homework as a stimulus for discussion, not only of the text but also of any relevant current issues in the world or in your family. Please sign your child’s reading record sheet every evening.
- Encourage your child to take an interest in the news, even if it is only one article a week. This will help with their Current Affairs Talk.
- Support any written homework by checking answers. Children are expected to write, using a fountain pen, in sentences and paragraphs, unless the question states otherwise.
How you can help at home
It
is important that you hear your child read aloud as often as you can, even if
he or she is a good reader. As well as
listening to them read and following the text to help them correct any errors
they make, the following points for discussion can help your child to gain a
greater insight into the text:
- Why has the author chosen to use specific words?
- What will happen next in the story?
- How are the different characters in the story feeling?
- Can you infer the character’s personality from their actions or words?
- Would you have ended the story differently? If so, how?
- What do you think happens to characters after the story has finished?
- Look for examples of descriptive language, metaphors and similes and check that your child understands them.
Look for examples of metaphor, simile and idioms and check that your child understands them.
Do
not assume that just because your child can read (decode) a word, they know
what it means. If they do not know what
a word means, ask if they could infer the meaning of the word from the context
of the sentence, before looking it up in a dictionary.
As
well as school reading work, encourage your child to read for pleasure, whether
it be the latest football magazine or a novel. If interested in the subject,
they are far more likely to read. All reading will help broaden vocabulary and,
in turn, make them better writers. Why
not join the local library?