1,000,000 word challenge...

Research shows that reading has many benefits; it builds vocabulary, strengthens the brain, reduces stress and makes you feel happy!  As a school, reading is a high priority.  We aim not only to teach children the skills of ‘how’ to read and comprehend, but to embed a love, passion and culture of reading for pleasure. 

A massive well done on reaching the 5 million word challenge at the end of last term.  We have now set our children a target of reading 1 million words each before the end of the school year; we know you can do this!  Watch this space for the results.

Don't forget that you can encourage your child to read and quiz at home (using the link above).  Below we have written some questions to promote good comprehension.

Mrs Harris and Mrs Dunn

Questions to ask your child when you read together:

When we hear children read in school, alongside their phonic skills we also support their comprehension skills.

Below you will find a list of possible questions to help you with conversations about your child’s reading. They are not intended to be used all at once or every time you read with your child.

Questions to ask before you read

• Can you look at the pictures and predict what you think will happen in this book?

• What makes you think that?

• What characters do you think might be in our story?

• Do you think there will be a problem in this story? Why or why not?

• Does the topic/story relate to you or your family? How?

Questions to ask during the reading

• What do you think will happen next?

• What can you tell me about the story so far?

• Can you predict how the story will end?

• Why do you think the character did _______?

• What would you have done if you were the character?

• How would you have felt if you were the character? (use different characters)

• As I read____________, it made me picture________ in my head. What pictures do you see in your head?

• As you read, what are you wondering about?

• Can you put what you’ve just read in your own words?

Questions to ask after reading

• Can you remember the title?

• In your opinion, was it a good title for this book? Why or why not?

• Were your predictions about the story correct?

• If there was a problem, did it get solved?

• What happened because of the problem?

• Why do you think the author wrote this book?

• What is the most important point the author is trying to make in his writing?

• What was your favorite part of the story?

• If you could change one thing in the story, what would it be?

• Can you retell the story in order?

• If you were __________, how would you have felt?

• What is the most interesting situation in the story?

• Is there a character in the story like you? How are you alike?

• Why did you like this book?

World Book Day 2021

To kick start our World Book Day week (22nd March 2021), staff at Cherry Tree Academy have given us some book recommendations.  Can you guess the Masked Reader?

Here you'll find some useful links to use at home.  

• You can sing along with the 'Song of Sounds' songs to practise your phonics.