English

Reading

Skegness Infant Academy fully acknowledges the importance of reading as a skill for life. In our Academy, reading takes place all of the time in many different ways.

Our reading scheme is based around the Oxford Reading Tree scheme  with additional texts used as well. Within our Academy we offer a wealth of books to support guided reading which, along with the Oxford Reading Tree, are book banded. We encourage our children to develop a love for reading through our regular guided reading sessions which happen daily across the academy as well as regular 'reading for pleasure' activities which take place in classrooms, reading areas and in our school library.

The help and support you can give your child with their reading is vital. Please click on the links below to find out how you can do this.

See the presentation below for further information on Reading at our Academy.

Reading at home is recorded in a Reading Record for children in Reception and Year One. In Year Two it is recorded on an app called Boom Reader. For support on how to use Boom Reader see the guide below. 

 

See below for our most recent Reading Newsletter...

We are proud to be part of the Lincolnshire Reading Pledge. This has been developed by the English Hub and aim to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, needs ot abilities, becomes a confident and enthusiastic reader. 

Phonics

At the Skegness Infant Academy we follow the Little Wandle scheme. See our 'Phonics' page for further information - use the navigation bar on the right or click on the link Phonics at SIA

Writing

In writing, pupils work individually, in pairs, groups or as a whole class to plan, draft, redraft, edit and present a range of writing genres. Editing takes place using our ‘purple polish pens.’ Teachers aim to ensure a balance of sentence and word level work across the week. A strong emphasis upon spelling, punctuation and grammar is undertaken through daily input, either during a lesson or through everyday routines. Pupils work independently, in small groups, collaboratively, peer to peer and as a class. Continuous assessment throughout a lesson allows teachers to address any misconceptions straight away and also to take learning forward. The plenary is used to reinforce and revisit objectives, as well as to consolidate learning and for assessment. Independent writing tasks offers the children a complete writing experience. Children in KS1 are regularly given the opportunity to write at length in order to utilise and demonstrate the skills they have learnt.

The children are taught to write using a cursive handwriting style with our nursery and reception children using a pre-cursive style. Joining is encouraged for our year 1 and year 2 children. 

See our 'Developing language and writing' page for further information about our approach to writing. 

Spelling

Spelling in our Academy is taught throughout the curriculum. Spelling is taught daily within phonics lessons. Regular spelling tests are conducted in KS1, children receive their list of words on a Friday and are tested later in the week. These words are ability dependent. The spelling of common exception and high frequency words is also taught regularly. FS2 children are frequently tested on high frequency words and receive a stamp for each word that they can spell independently.

Spelling in Year 1is taught using a ‘spelling spider.’ Children receive their spellings on a weekly basis and tested later in the week. If children receive full marks on their test they receive a stamp on their spider leg. If children fill all eight legs on their spider they achieve a ‘spelling spider certificate.’

Year 2 children take part in a spelling WASP – We Are Spelling Perfectly.

Children take part in a class spelling competition in which there is an ultimate class 'spelling WASP winner.' This winner then moves forward into the year group spelling competition.

 

Throughout the year children take part in a range of special days that celebrate different aspects of reading and writing and specific authors. 

Take a look at the presentation below to see some of the amazing work we completed on 'Roald Dahl Day' to celebrate his birthday on the 13th September.