In this section you will learn how we use the following to teach reading in every lesson:

• The Reading Toolkit in each subject

• Subject specific reading posters on display

• Key words at the start of each lesson

• Golden words at the start of each term

Reading for comprehension is a vital part of any lesson, from Maths problems to History sources.

Some subjects will expect students to read extended texts, and be able to read for meaning, infer what it suggests, and critically explore. Some subjects will have less reading, but will require students to extract the key maths needed to solve a problem, or understand key scientific vocabulary.

Whilst the reason we read in each subject will differ slightly, some of the basic skills remain the same.

Each subject uses the Norton Hill Reading Toolkit to support effective reading strategies.

Before students read:

• They recall any useful prior knowledge

• They are taught key vocabulary - so that their reading is more fluent and confident

• They attempt to predict what the text is about - so that they are searching for meaning in the texts

As the student reads:

• The teacher reads to the student - this allows students to focus on the text, and not have to read aloud AND also understand what it is saying. 

• Some students find it useful to read with a ruler, to help them focus on the key line.

• Some students also find it useful to have a coloured overlay to avoid the glare of the page.

After the student has read:

• They are asked to identify the main points, summarise, question what has been said, and infer. 

• Students may reread the text at this point to help with any misconceptions, or find further information.

• Each subject also displays the key reading skills expected in that lesson as a poster, and plans for opportunities to teach how to read as an effective Historian, Scientist, Mathematician, Literary scholar, and so on.

A key part of reading fluently is understanding vocabulary. Every subject will do the following:

• Start each lesson with two or three of the most important words required in the lesson

• Where appropriate, these words will be broken down to help students understand how they are spelled.

• At the start of each term, each subject will provide the ‘golden words’ for students