Phonics
Here at Totternhoe, we believe that it is important that the children read for pleasure as well as during their learning. Reading the books they enjoy not only increases their confidence and understanding of stories, but also their vocabulary . Quality children's literature is a vast source of interesting vocabulary for children rivaled only by technical texts for adults. Books also allow access to places and situations where we may not or cannot go, as the author Neil Gaiman said "A book is a dream you hold in your hands."
Summer Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays. You can sign up at your local library, then read six library books of your choice to complete the Challenge. There are rewards to collect along the way, and it’s FREE to take part!
In Central Bedfordshire, the challenge begins on 20th July and there are activities to join in at the libraries. After completing the basic 6 book challenge, children are encouraged to continue reading and there is a family theatre ticket prize at each library, for the child who reads the most books.
The Summer Reading Challenge website helps you keep track of your reading all year round: find new books to read, take part in competitions and mini challenges, and play games.
For further information: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/summer-reading-challenge
In Central Bedfordshire, the challenge begins on 20th July and there are activities to join in at the libraries. After completing the basic 6 book challenge, children are encouraged to continue reading and there is a family theatre ticket prize at each library, for the child who reads the most books.
The Summer Reading Challenge website helps you keep track of your reading all year round: find new books to read, take part in competitions and mini challenges, and play games.
For further information: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/summer-reading-challenge
Read Write Inc.
In September 2015 we introduced the phonics programme, Read Write Inc, to the children. This is a fun and interactive phonics scheme that with the help of 'Fred' the Frog, gets everyone reading quickly and confidently.
Take a look at the videos and documents below to learn more about RWI and phonics.
Take a look at the videos and documents below to learn more about RWI and phonics.
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
During the Summer term every Year 1 child will take part in the Government Phonics Screening Check. This is a check which involves children reading 40 decodable words (words that they can 'Fred talk') using their phonic knowledge. The 40 words will include 20 'nonsense' words in order to ensure use of phonics as opposed to sight recognition of words. This is a progress check to identify those children not at the expected level in their reading. The results will be reported to parents. Children will be re-checked in Year 2 if they do not reach the expected level. Any child working below the level of the screening check, may be dis-applied, with the acknowledgment of the parent/carer.
This year the phonics screening check will take place during the week commencing Monday 24th June 2019.
You can find out more about the check by clicking here.
Click the links below to access past papers and practise at home.
2012 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2013 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2014 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2015 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2016 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2017 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2018 Screening Check Paper - Click here
Generate your own screening check - Click here
This year the phonics screening check will take place during the week commencing Monday 24th June 2019.
You can find out more about the check by clicking here.
Click the links below to access past papers and practise at home.
2012 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2013 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2014 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2015 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2016 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2017 Screening Check Paper - Click here
2018 Screening Check Paper - Click here
Generate your own screening check - Click here
Phenomenal Phonics News
In June 2016 100% of our Year 1 children passed their phonics screening test! In October we received a letter from Nick Gibb MP (Minister of State for School Standards) congratulating us. You can read that letter here.
In June 2017 our success continued with 94.4% of Year 1 passing the phonics check, missing out on a letter from Nick Gibb MP by 0.1%!
In October 2017 we were made a badge school for Read Write Inc and were upgraded to a MODEL SCHOOL in December 2017 for our commitment to outstanding phonics and reading teaching and learning.
In June 2018 93.75% of our Year 1 children passed the phonics screening check!
Our 2019 phonics screening result was 96.4%!
In June 2017 our success continued with 94.4% of Year 1 passing the phonics check, missing out on a letter from Nick Gibb MP by 0.1%!
In October 2017 we were made a badge school for Read Write Inc and were upgraded to a MODEL SCHOOL in December 2017 for our commitment to outstanding phonics and reading teaching and learning.
In June 2018 93.75% of our Year 1 children passed the phonics screening check!
Our 2019 phonics screening result was 96.4%!
MyBookBlog
To increase the children's comprehension and encourage their love of reading all of the children from years 2-4 have their own MyBookBlog page. Here, they can blog, collect facts, take comprehension quizzes and learn new vocabulary linked to books they choose to read themselves. Take a look at the books on offer in the school library, encourage your child/children to talk about and blog on the books they have read and tease out all that vocabulary when talking to them. Year 1 also have a class account, preparing them for their individual accounts once they reach Year 2.
Click here to login to MyBookBlog.
You can also click here to see reviews on YouTube.
Click here to login to MyBookBlog.
You can also click here to see reviews on YouTube.
Teach Your Monster to Read
In Reception and Year 1, we are also teaching our monsters to read at school and at home. Each child has their own login details and can earn certificates and letters from their monsters. If you need reminding of your child's login details, please speak to your child's teacher.
Click here to login to Teach Your Monster to Read.
Click here to login to Teach Your Monster to Read.
Library and Library Club
Our library is open every Tuesday after school from 3:30-4pm for you and your child/children to come and change their library book with Miss Murray. Children are allowed to take one book home at a time. Once they have returned it, they may choose another. Children at Totternhoe also have the opportunity to change their book during the school day.
In library club this term we have been having lots of fun! We don’t just read books - we read everything! We might be playing a game (reading rules and instructions), cracking a code, solving a word puzzle, creating our own poem or following clues on a treasure hunt! As well as borrowing books and sharing our opinions of them, we do a range of activities depending on the time of year, usually incorporating various festivals, celebrations and remembrances.There’s always thinking, talking, sharing, reading and writing going on in library club.
For more information or to borrow a book please speak to our fantastic head librarian Mason.
In library club this term we have been having lots of fun! We don’t just read books - we read everything! We might be playing a game (reading rules and instructions), cracking a code, solving a word puzzle, creating our own poem or following clues on a treasure hunt! As well as borrowing books and sharing our opinions of them, we do a range of activities depending on the time of year, usually incorporating various festivals, celebrations and remembrances.There’s always thinking, talking, sharing, reading and writing going on in library club.
For more information or to borrow a book please speak to our fantastic head librarian Mason.
Phonics in Key Stage 2
If children in Key Stage 2 experience difficulty in reading and/or writing because they have missed or misunderstood a crucial phase of systematic phonics teaching, additional resources can and will be used to support them, such as intervention groups like precision teaching.
