Exploring Literacy: Why Displaying Your Reading Strategy Matters

After a restful holiday season filled with family, fun, and, admittedly, an unexpected stint as chief Lego builder for my son Noah, I've found myself recharged and ready to tackle the new year. One of my resolutions? To dedicate an hour each day to explore and prospect the Literacy arena.

Daily Prospecting - A Beacon in the World of Literacy

While navigating the digital education landscape (Particularly a literacy deep dive) during my daily routine, I chanced upon a distinctly different school website (I won't name the school). No, the dazzling visuals or catchy taglines didn't draw me in. It was more substantial - the crystal clear exposition of their reading strategy. Now, why did this pique my interest?

This school focused on substance over style in an era where flashy graphics and clever slogans often took precedence. They put their reading strategy front and centre, openly showcasing their approach to literacy. And this wasn't just any strategy. It was a comprehensive, well-thought-out plan demonstrating a deep understanding of the importance of reading in a child's education.

But what made this strategy stand out? What was the secret ingredient that made it so compelling?

Nurturing a Reading Culture

Have you ever walked into a place and felt a sense of belonging? That's the kind of environment this school has created for reading. A steadfast commitment drives them to make reading an academic exercise and a cherished experience for every pupil.

Imagine walking into a cosy corner with books catering to every interest. You can pick any book that catches your fancy and dive into a world of imagination. Sounds inviting. That's exactly how this school sparks a love for reading in their pupils.

But they don't stop there. They understand that independence is crucial to nurturing a lifelong love for reading. So, they provide ample opportunities for independent reading. Pupils can explore the vast literary universe at their own pace, cultivating curiosity and confidence.

Then, there are the regular read-aloud sessions. Picture this: a teacher passionately reads an aspirational text, modulating their voice to match the story's tone. The room has eager eyes and attentive ears, hanging onto every word. These sessions not only improve listening skills but also expose pupils to a variety of genres and writing styles.

This school has created a haven where reading is celebrated, cherished, and cultivated. And that, my friends, is our commitment to foster a generation of ardent readers.

The school has an unwavering commitment to fostering a reading-friendly environment. This is accomplished through inviting book corners, independent reading opportunities, and regular read-aloud sessions with aspirational texts.

How did they break it down?

The Power of Reading Speeds

What drew me in were the published statistics around Reading Speeds. The school benchmarks each year group against specific word-read-per-minute markers, a strategy I know from my work with Lexplore to be instrumental in monitoring and improving reading speed.

Clear Reading Objectives

The school sets specific reading targets for each year group to improve reading speed. Targets are clear, measurable, and, most importantly, achievable.

Engaging Parents

Involving parents in education is shown to improve outcomes significantly. The school extends resources to parents to facilitate reading at home, promoting a team effort in education.

Phonics Instruction

Additional phonics instruction is provided for pupils needing extra help, ensuring children stay caught up due to lack of understanding.

Supplemental Resources

To enrich the reading experience, supplementary resources such as Bug Club are incorporated, providing various engaging materials.

Positive Attitudes Towards Reading

Both staff and pupils exhibit positive attitudes towards reading. The school promotes reading for pleasure with amenities like an outdoor library box and a curriculum library for Key Stage 1.

The Impact of Reading

The school recognises that reading nurtures optimism and develops advanced thinking skills in pupils. They encourage pupils to pick their books, knowing that a child is five times more likely to finish a book they've chosen.

The Role of Technology in Supporting Reading Assessment

Lexplore supports this mission with its AI Eye Track Technology, a two-step process involving loud and silent reading. In the first step, the pupil reads a text aloud. This allows Lexplore to measure fluency and comprehension, essential components of reading proficiency.

In the second step, the pupil reads a different text silently. As the pupil reads, the eye-tracking technology records their eye movements, capturing how they interact with the text. AI algorithms then analyse this data to provide insights into the cognitive processes involved in reading.

Isn't that groundbreaking?

Final Thoughts

My experience in this market has taught me one thing: transparency about your strategies can set you apart. A straightforward reading strategy demonstrates your commitment to education and helps parents and pupils understand what they can expect. Should you display your reading strategy on your website? My answer is a resounding "Yes!"