Reading at SSMJ 2024-25

At SSMJ we love to read! Our reading journey begins in EYFS and continues throughout our school career.

Phonics

A large part of reading is being able to decode the words on the page and we use the Red Rose Letters and Sounds Phonics programme at SSMJ to support the children to develop these skills. Please see the phonics page to find out more.

Reading Books

At SSMJ we do not use a particular scheme for reading books. Instead the children have the choice of a range of books that have been banded to match their needs. As the children work through the phonics programme, their reading books are closely matched to the phonics that they are learning in class. Once the children have exited the phonics programme, they then choose their reading books from colour banded books. The children move through the colour bands as they progress in their fluency and experience. We encourage the children to read across a range of genres and text types within the bands.

Reading Passports

Our Reading Ambassadors launched our new Reading Passports in assembly. Children in Years 1 through to Year 6 have been given Reading Passports. The Reading Passports are a collection of challenges that are designed to encourage the children to explore different authors and different genres whilst developing their love of reading.

Mary Pope Osborne said that Reading is a Passport to Countless Adventures. We hope that the Reading Passports take our pupils on countless adventures over their time at St Michael and St John's.

Reading News

March 2023 - World Book Day

Our Reading Ambassadors organised this year's World Book Day. They asked the children to come to school dressed as a word. This linked in with the work that the whole school did around 'The Word Collector'. Each class chose their favourite costume. They also organised a cardboard tube book character competition which they judged. Additionally they arranged for 'down tools reading' across the day and a book swap. It was a super day and everyone was fully involved. See the gallery below.

November 2022 - Get Caught Reading Competition

Message on behalf of our Reading Ambassadors

We have launched our Get Caught Reading competition. In the same way that you have previously been asked to get caught praying in an unusual place, we are now asking you to get caught reading.
There are 3 categories with prizes for each:
1. Individual category
2. Family category
3. Staff category

All entries need to be sent into school by 9:00am on Monday 12th December. They can be emailed into school FAO Miss Critchley (bursar@ssmj.lancs.sch.uk) or sent as a message to Miss Critchley on Class Dojo. The Reading Ambassadors will be choosing their favourites. Good luck!

October 2022 - Book Recommendations Class Dojo Message

I have recently been asked for recommendations for age appropriate texts for children to read on their own, or for families to share together. The BookTrust have an amazing book finder resource that provides recommendations based on age and interest. If you're looking for your next read, I highly recommend it.

They also have a rich catalogue of "What to read after..." suggestions. If, for example, your child is a big fan of David Walliams, Harry Potter or Horrid Henry but they're ready for something new, take a look at their recommendations.

Finally, if your child is struggling to complete a challenge in their reading passport because they don't have any books that match a particular theme, use their search function with the theme you are looking for and there will be lots of suggestions to help them out.

Happy Reading! Don't forget to let me know how you're getting on :-)

Miss Critchley

PS If you're not a member of the library, go and join so you can access thousands of fabulous books and audiobooks for free!

September 2022 - Reading Workshop for Parents

Thank you to everyone who attended the reading workshop. Please see the presentation below if you missed the session. Feel free to speak to me if you have any questions.