KS2 Guided Reading Scheme
As National Curriculum levels are no longer used in Primary schools, we have researched alternative approaches to differentiation and assessment in reading. We have adopted an approach that we think will resonate with the vast majority of UK Primary schools. We believe it fully addresses the requirements of the National Curriculum whilst retaining the flexibility to work alongside a wide variety of approaches that schools have developed in an educational landscape that is ‘beyond levels.’
Our guided reading material is organised for Upper KS2 (Years 5-6) and Lower KS2 (Years 3-4) to reflect the changed structure for KS2 in the new curriculum. For both Upper and Lower KS2, there are 4 differentiated guided reading books as follows:
Em (Emerging) – For children who have been assessed as not yet meeting age related expectations for reading
TE (Towards Expectations – For children who have been assessed as meeting some age related expectations for reading
AE (At Expectations) – For children who have been assessed as meeting age related expectations for reading
M (Mastery/Greater Depth) – For children who have been assessed as exceeding age related expectations for reading
Each of the four books share common text genres and themes although word count and language complexity progresses according to which stage the book is addressing.
In determining the content of the pupil books we have referenced both English and foundation subject content outlined in the statutory and non-statutory guidance of the new curriculum and also explored good practice in countries like New Zealand to see how different countries are using innovative, approaches to guided reading.
The text genres and content have been chosen to help teachers meet the statutory obligations and non-statutory guidance for reading in the new curriculum. Each pupil book covers a wide range of genres such as poetry, short stories, literary heritage extracts, non-chronological reports, biographies and diaries.
Some content themes have been selected from content suggested in foundation subject guidance to help exploit opportunities for cross curricular reinforcement.
Engaging children
Each pupil book is highly visual and draws on age appropriate content themes that will engage learners.
Audio versions of each text provide both good models of reading to pupils and help them to access the reading texts independently.
On the CDs that accompany teacher copymaster books, digital copies of pupil books are included so that they can be used on class interactive whiteboards and computers.
Supporting teachers
For each book, there is an accompanying teacher book that delivers flexible and comprehensive content. For each text this includes:
Synopsis and word count information
Session planning guidance
Suggested questions and discussion prompts based on the new Reading Content Domains
Two pupil copymaster sheets
A pupil comprehension activity in the style and format of SATS questions including answers for teachers. All questions are referenced to individual Reading Content Domains and replicate the approximate percentages that have been used in the new KS2 SATS.
Blank and lined copymasters for teachers to use in their own follow up reading activities.
Each teacher copymaster book comes with a CD wallet containing the above digital support material.