English

At Beechwood, the English curriculum is rooted in the school’s underlying aims, ethos and values. It is carefully designed to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding and attitudes that will both prepare them for the next stage in their education and enable them to live successful lives in the present and future.
The Beechwood English curriculum aims to:

develop the necessary skills to use the English language confidently, appropriately and accurately in a range of situations;
be able to read a range of materials fluently and with understanding for enjoyment and for information;
be able to speak clearly, fluently and with an expanding vocabulary;
be able to listen to the spoken word attentively, with understanding, pleasure and empathy;
understand and use the grammatical and linguistic conventions of standard English;
develop an appreciation of our rich and varied literary heritage;
be able to write effectively for a range of purposes and audiences, using spelling, punctuation and grammar accurately and confidently.

World Book Day 2024

Download a pdf of the leaflet below 👇🏻

Familiar 4

We have developed the ‘Familiar 4’ approach for daily story time from Nursery to the end of KS1. Four stories are carefully chosen each half term, within 4 sub-categories to ensure breadth of texts. These stories are read and re-read frequently, enabling children to become familiar with these core texts. Through a variety of approaches, including drama, children experience multiple exposures to new vocabulary and the opportunity to internalise language patterns. Also, ‘on each re-reading the children’s familiarity with the story deepens and, with that, comes a greater emotional engagement’ (Reading Framework, 2023).

Year 2 Familiar 4

Spring 1

(Click the picture to find a YouTube video of the story being read)

Spring 2

(Click the picture to find a YouTube video of the story being read)


			No video available

Summer Reading Challenge Winners!

The librarian came to visit us for an assembly on Thursday to celebrate the end of the Summer Reading Challenge. We were really pleased to hear that 31 children had registered for the challenge, with 12 children earning themselves a medal and certificate. We have selected Reading Champions from KS1 and KS2 who have engaged with the library over the summer holidays and shown some great enthusiasm for reading! These children received some books as a prize and have been invited as VIPs to a Spooktacular event at Leeds Central Library!

Summer Reading Challenge

Download PDF copies of the information below 👇

Phonics

At Beechwood, we use a systematic programme called ‘Read, Write Inc.’ developed by Ruth Miskin to teach phonics. It helps children become fluent and confident readers
The Government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early reading skills to children. Synthetic phonics is the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.
The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability within their year group.

Reading

When using RWI to read the children will:

Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple prompts
Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk)
Read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out
Show that they comprehend the stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It'

Parent video: How to say the sounds

Read Write Inc. Phonics: Ruth Miskin on how to teach blending to children

Ruth Miskin demonstrates how to teach children phonics through assisted word blending. You can find out more about Ruth's Read Write Inc. Phonics approach at...

Reading Eggs

All children in reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have a login for Reading Eggs. This is a fantastic website that helps to support your child’s phonics learning and reading.
Reading Eggs Login

Helping your child to read at home

Reading at both home and school is vitally important to ensure your child becomes a lifelong reader. At Beechwood, we work really hard to develop a love of books and reading and we appreciate the support you provide in helping us with this. This year we have purchased lots of new and exciting books for your child to read in school and take home.
Daily reading at home and at school ensures children make good progress in developing reading skills no matter what age they are.

Here are some useful websites for tips to help support your child read at home:


BBC Bitesize - Top tips to support your child's reading at home	Tips and advice on reading with your child.

Please aim to listen to your child read at least three times a week and record this in their green reading record. This will be checked weekly and recorded onto their class reading chart. Any children who read regularly each week will be rewarded with a certificate and prize at the end of each half term.

Children can also read a range of interesting books on ‘Bug Club’. This is a fun and exciting website that the school has signed up to. Your child has already been given their login details.

https://www.activelearnprimary.co.uk/

Please click on our home reading policy below if you would like any further information.

Home Reading Policy 2021-22

Summer Term

This half term, a group of pupils in Year 1 have taken part in the Let Leeds Read project run by Leeds Beckett University. The project helps support children to develop their phonics skills weekly with a student from the university and the children have really enjoyed the sessions. This week the project came to an end. The university kindly gifted every child in Year 1 with a goodie bag filled with two brilliant books - Not Now, Bernard by David McKee and The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright. The children were excited to receive these and couldn't wait to read them at home!