Reading at KS2

Parent Information

Destination Reader

Destination Reader is a new approach to teaching reading in KS2. It involves daily sessions incorporating whole class modelling prior to the children applying these skills through partner work and independent reading. Children deepen their understanding of the texts they read through the systematic use of a series of strategies and language stems. 

The approach encompasses the key principles of effective reading provision and fully meets the requirements of the National Curriculum by creating deep understanding of texts, developing oracy around reading and increasing breadth of reading. Destination Reader also helps to build a culture of reading for pleasure and purpose.

Key Messages for parents:

• Don't stop reading with them because they can decode.
• Make it fun! Talk about the text. Laugh and cry together - if they enjoy reading time with you, they are much more likely to read independently. 
• Model being a reader – let them see you reading, talking about reading. Guess what happened in my book last night…..
• Make time - protect this time - leave your phone in the other room!  Try to give your full attention for 10 minutes.
• Make it easy - books by their bed, books in lounge, take books on the bus. Join the library / visit bookshops -  even if you don't buy anything!
• Model the strategies and praise children when you see them independently using them - try to do this on the turn of the page so it does not disturb the reading e.g. I like the way you ... made links, clarified etc

Children should read books that challenge but also books that are comfort reads - what are your guilty pleasures when you want to relax?

Why is reading so important?

All pupils must be encouraged to read widely across both fiction and non-fiction to:

• develop their knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live,
• feed their imagination and curiosity,
• gain knowledge across the curriculum,
• learn new vocabulary,
• establish an appreciation and love of different texts,
• escape to other worlds.