Literacy
| Associate Leader - Reading and Literacy Intervention | Miss S Hill |
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Literacy across the Curriculum
Literacy is essential to all learning throughout the school, in all years and across all subject areas. At Chelmer Valley, we know that good literacy skills help students to communicate effectively, and that being confident in their literacy skills allows students to achieve their potential across the curriculum. Because literacy is integral to our students’ success, we aim to ensure all learners at our school emerge as confident and articulate communicators.
In order to support students with literacy in all aspects of their learning, Chelmer Valley High School launched a brand new literacy strategy in April 2017. This will help equip our students for the ongoing demands of the challenging and rigorous new GCSEs.
Reading for pleasure
A significant amount of research from around the world suggests that reading for pleasure can raise literacy standards and help support student progress. As a school, we take every opportunity to promote reading for pleasure, this includes reading during tutor time, library lessons, Drop Everything and Read and celebrating days such as World Book Day through a variety of activities. We ask that students carry a reading book with them at all times and actively encourage students to read a wide range of challenging material.
For more information on how to support your child’s reading at home, please download the document below. We have also provided a list of exciting books that can be used to engage reluctant readers in KS3, as well as a list of challenging and appropriate material for KS4 and KS5. Please see the documents below for more information.
Accelerated Reader
All students in Year 7, 8 and 9 participate in Accelerated Reader and have a dedicated ‘AR’ lesson once a fortnight.
Accelerated Reader helps students to become more able readers by encouraging reading for pleasure and ensuring that all students are reading texts that are of an appropriate level for their age and skill set. Students are encouraged to choose and read books within their reading level before taking an online quiz to determine how much they understood and can remember. Students win points for completing their chosen books and passing their quizzes, which add together towards their target points total each term. After the introduction of Accelerated Reader in 2015, we saw a dramatic rise in the number of students reading for pleasure, and significant improvements in reading proficiency.
The Accelerated Reader scheme states that for the best results, students should be reading for 25 – 30 minutes every day. To help you find books at the right reading level for your child, click on the link below.
http://www.arbookfind.co.uk/UserType.aspx
Improving Literacy through Feedback
Years of educational research suggests that one of the best ways to improve students’ skills is through effective feedback. At Chelmer Valley, all subjects offer students feedback on their literacy, as well as suggestions on how to improve their spelling, grammar, punctuation and essay writing skills. Activities during lesson time regularly offer students opportunities to become better communicators.
If you have any further questions or would like any advice on supporting your child with literacy at home, please contact Miss Hill by email: shill@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
