Last week, pupils in Years 5 to 8 took Lexile tests to track their reading comprehension, and test their vocabulary. We saw some stunning results with 80% of pupils already reading at age related expectations midyear, and 46% working ahead of age related expectations. Dotty in Year 5 achieved a result of 1408L that puts her at the top of the school and ensures she is already well prepared for university!
We tested a select group of Year 2 pupils for the first time and were delighted to see that some pupils are ready to tackle more demanding books from the Apthorp reading collection. Special mention must be made of Apphia who achieved a result of 985L - the expectations for a Year 8 pupil!
When young children can read and comprehend well ahead of their age, it is important as parents and educators to ensure that the themes encountered in reading material are age-appropriate. This is where non-fiction books, newspapers and magazines can be particularly useful in engaging children, offering challenge and promoting vocabulary acquisition.
Some children find reading challenging, but accelerated progress is always made when they read aloud with an adult for 10 to 15 minutes daily. As a school we are still seeing the impact of Covid on our Year 3 cohort - a pattern reflected nationally.
Last week, Reuben in Year 5 showed me his favourite latest book - a fantastic addition to a home library! It didn’t surprise me when Reuben, who loves words, achieved a Lexile of 1255L - the standard of a pupil in Year 13!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dictionary-Difficult-Words-perplexing-words/dp/1786038102
You will have read about the story of Fritz and Kurt which I highlighted in the Year 3 to 8 World Book Day Assembly. It was humbling to hear from Paul Kleinmann, the son of Kurt Kleinmann featured in the novel, who escaped Nazi rule in Vienna as a child and travelled solo, aged 11, to the USA. I connected with Paul Kleinmann through Twitter and he was delighted to send us books for the library. Pupils were touched by his family’s story and his generosity to us as a school community.
I still have three copies of Fritz and Kurt for sale at cost (£6.75); please email jbroadis@edgegrove.com if you would like one for your child (Year 4 upwards).
Thank you to all parents who supported the Book Sales last week. Over £1500 came in which will be used to fund new book purchases and buy stock for future sales.
The hard work behind the scenes by Mrs Volioti in the main library became apparent on World Book Day when our new library management system, Accessit, was launched. The system allows children to access the library from their chromebooks, browse the catalogue, reserve books and leave reviews. Mr Balfour has launched a new House Competition where pupils earn points by leaving reviews of their favourite books. In library lessons in Years 5 to 8 this week, Mrs Volioti will orientate children with Accessit so they can make full use of this new platform.
Thank you for your wonderful support for World Book Day, book sales and all things reading related. Edge Grove is a school that loves to read!And don't forget to read the fantastic articles from our Edge Grove School Journalists who have been hard at work throughout the school. You can read them here.
