A child, A book, A read, A chat. This is the way the mind grows. Not with a test but a tale. Michael Rosen 2019
At Uplands, we believe that every child has the right to become a fluent reader, one who values reading and derives pleasure from it. Our aim is to foster in each and every child a love of reading and to create within our school a genuine Reading Community. To achieve this, we aim to provide our learners with a wide range of reading opportunities using high quality texts within the classroom and beyond.
A love of reading is encouraged through a range of provision:
Your child will be participating in the Accelerated Reader (AR) program. AR is used as part of a comprehensive reading programme in place at Uplands Junior L.E.A.D Academy School. While we continue to teach the skills of reading in class through guided reading texts and whole class texts, the AR books chosen by your child will provide them with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have developed.
Here is a link to our school’s entry portal for quizzing on Accelerated Reader: https://global-zone61.renaissance-go.com/welcomeportal/1895537
Wondering if a quiz is available for a particular book? Here is a link to Accelerated Reader book finder:
https://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType.aspx?RedirectURL=%2fdefault.aspx
Pupils using AR are encouraged to progress at their own pace and they have personalised targets based on their reading ability. The aim of AR is for all children to succeed in achieving their targets.
Every child taking part in AR will complete a STAR reading test at the beginning of the year and at the end of each half-term. It is a timed test that should take at least 20 minutes and is a multiple choice reading assessment completed individually on the computer.
After your child takes a STAR reading test, the teacher will assess the results and give them a ZPD reading range. Your child will know their range and the books they should be choosing. To ensure children experience success from the outset they begin each year by taking books at the lower end of their ZPD range.
When your child has finished reading a book they will be given time to take a quiz independently on the computer. We aim for all quizzes to be taken within 48 hours of finishing a book.
If your child does not do well on a quiz, they will be encouraged to choose a book that is more appropriate. You can help by asking questions about the book as your child reads it at home.
Children at Uplands Junior L.E.A.D Academy are exposed to a rich and varied diet of challenging literature. Children read everyday in school. The texts that they read may be one of the three class novels.
Phonics is essential when teaching children to read and spell. Phonics focusses on pure sounds rather than letter name. For example, the letter ‘S’ is pronounced ‘sssssssss’ not ‘suh’ or ‘es’.
Uplands Junior is now following the ALS validated phonic scheme, as used by Uplands Infant school, in order to aid consistency and familiarity for the students of Uplands Junior. It is a lively and interactive programme. Phonics is taught systematically to all Year 3 children who have not yet passed the phonics screening test. Ask your child about ‘robot arms’, the spelling/reading sayings, and talk to them about the sounds they have revised.
As a school we recognise that it is essential for all children to learn to read and we provide a range of interventions to ensure that no children are left behind. These include Flash Academy (https://web.flashacademy.com/), Reading Rocketeers (https://www.johnmurraycpd.co.uk/resources ) additional guided reading through pre-reads where needed, BWRP, book groups and 1:1 reading daily.
Within our community we are extremely lucky to have the local library that is right on the doorstep of our school. Classes within school visit throughout the year and look to visit every half term. Each child has been given a library card that they can use to take 3 books out each time. We will have a talk about the library whilst there and look to promote other services they provide.
Every school holiday, we run a fun reading competition to encourage children to read more at home. Challenges have included reading in a strange place, reading to someone new, and reading every day for 10 days! Every child who takes part is entered into a prize draw, and lucky winners get to choose a reward from our very own Uplands Booklands shop. It’s a brilliant way to keep reading exciting and celebrate our young readers’ efforts!
Every year, we host two exciting book fairs that help foster a love of reading across our school. In the autumn term, we welcome the Roving Bookshop, and in summer, the Scholastic Travelling Bookshop. These events not only give children the joy of choosing and buying their own books, but also directly support our school—every book sold helps us fund new titles for our reward shop and library. Without their support, many children wouldn’t get to experience the magic of book ownership.
Welcome to our Uplands Booklands shop. Here children receive a box book prize when they read 5 times a week for 15 weeks at home. Well done to all the children who received their free books so far. Remember to read with your children at home. It is so important to read for 15 minutes each day.
Thank you to everyone who has donated money, books or time to the reward shop. It really would not work without your support. We also want to thank the local book shops Books2door and BooksforPeople who have donated to our cause in the past.
We are always looking for more support so if you would like to donate a book then please speak to our office.
I want to urge you all to find the time to enjoy the benefits of reading. Reading is not only a wonderful form of entertainment but it is also one of the most important skills you can develop.
When you read, you are opening up a world of knowledge, imagination, and inspiration. Reading helps you to develop your vocabulary, improve your memory, and enhance your critical thinking skills. It also allows you to escape into other worlds and experience different perspectives.
Moreover, reading is a great way to spend your holiday. It can be an excellent way to relax, unwind, and de-stress from the everyday pressures of life. Whether you prefer adventure, mystery, or romance, there is a book out there for everyone.
So, my plea to you this year, especially during the holidays, is to read. Read as much as you can, as often as you can. Make it a habit and enjoy the journey. Remember, reading is the key to unlocking a lifetime of knowledge and success. Here are some of the places you can access free or cheap books. Also, books make greater presents during celebration periods.
And do not forget to share your amazing reading pictures with us on our Twitter page. @uplandsleadacad
Happy reading!
Mr Deacon
