Literacy

Supporting Reading at Home and in the classroom

Throughout primary school, students develop essential literacy skills that help them become confident, fluent, and independent readers. The foundation built during these years is crucial for their success in secondary school and beyond.

However, the transition from reading in primary school to high school presents a significant shift. Students move from learning to read to reading to learn, encountering more complex texts, engaging in critical thinking, and becoming more independent in their reading across various subjects.

To support students in this transition, reading—particularly the ability to read and comprehend—is a key focus of our literacy practice at LSC. All our teachers are practitioners of literacy, ensuring that students develop the reading and writing skills necessary for academic success.

One of the ways we foster these skills is through the Junior Reading Program, which provides dedicated time for independent reading within the junior English curriculum. This initiative supplements reading done at home and strengthens students’ comprehension skills.

How We Support Reading in the Classroom

Our English teachers: ✅ Regularly monitor student progress in reading comprehension through conferences and diagnostic assessments in line with the LSC assessment schedule.✅ Actively guide students’ reading development through modeling and the application of comprehension strategies.✅ Schedule regular library sessions to help students engage with available resources and foster a school-wide reading culture.

How You Can Support Reading at Home

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in encouraging a love of reading. Here are some simple ways to support your child’s reading journey:📚 Model positive reading habits—let your child see you reading for enjoyment.📚 Fill your home with books or make regular trips to the library.📚 Encourage your child to visit the school library.📚 Strengthen inference skills by analysing images, such as advertisements, together.📚 Support and encourage the reading process, even when it’s challenging.📚 Help your child make real-world connections to what they’re reading.📚 Make reading a regular part of your daily routine.📚 Be curious about your child’s reading experiences and seek to understand any challenges they face.📚 Ask meaningful questions about their reading interests and help them choose engaging books.📚 Speak to your child’s teachers or school librarians for additional support in creating a positive reading culture at home.

By working together—at school and at home—we can ensure that every student develops strong reading skills, setting them up for success now and in the future.

Written by Emma Dower, Literacy Leader