In Willow Class we use Collins Big Cat Little Wandle Letters & Sounds Revised reading scheme books, which match the Little Wandle phonics progression for Reception and Year 1.

Each week, children will participate in group reading sessions with the teacher or teaching assistant, focusing on:

• fluency and decoding
• prosody (expresssion & intonation)
• comprehension

Once they are reading their book fluently, they will bring it home to read with you at home. Generally, they will receive a new book each week. 

Reception children will start with wordless books. Once they are able to blend words using the sounds they have learned, they will start reading Phase 2 reading books.

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

• A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
• A sharing book.  Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!