Learning to Read and Write
At Dogsthorpe Infant School we pay particular close attention to the important task of teaching all pupils how to read and write.  This is during Literacy or CLLD (Communication, Language & Literacy Development) lessons. This is sometimes done on a one-to-one pupil/teacher basis.  

Phonics
This school uses the award-winning Phonics scheme, 'Monster Phonics'. More details here. 

Our children are given many opportunities to learn and practice their reading, writing and spelling skills.  This mainly happens during Literacy or CLLD lessons but also occurs across the curriculum in all subjects.  Children are encouraged and involved in reading, writing and speaking & listening activities to develop their literacy skills both independently and with an adult. We also offer online and face-to-face reading & writing resource assistance to all parents and carers. 

Reading
We follow the 'Letters & Sounds' Guidelines to teach phonics. We teach children songs and actions for each of the sounds they learn in order for learning to be fun and memorable. When children begin the reading process, we start with picture books to encourage children to use the pictures to tell their own story.  This develops their language skills as well as their understanding of stories. In order to best support and develop children’s reading, your child will read from a range of books from different schemes as well as other books as part of Literacy. Your child will be heard read on a regular basis either individually or as part of a group in ‘Guided Reading’.  Listening to children read is a highly important task.  We actively encourage parents to read with their child at home and invite parents to come in to school and help with this. Please listen to your child read every day and encourage him/her by completing their Reading Record book every time you hear them read. This daily activity will greatly aid and increase their progress through school. 

Your interest and encouragement is vital.  We want to work together with our parents to stimulate their child's life long interest in books and encourage a realisation that reading is the key to access the world around them.