1. Parents’ workshopPare Mr Martin and Miss Richter Reading Workshop

2. School Priorities Raise attainment, engagement and motivation of all pupils in reading with a particular focus on boys. Progress continues to be made towards national averages in reading across the school!

3. A very high proportion (68%) of children with very poor literacy skills are boys. The long term costs of literacy difficulties 2nd Edition, Every Child a Chance Trust, 2009 There is a significant link between poor literacy and antisocial behaviour. The long term costs of literacy difficulties 2nd Edition, Every Child a Chance Trust, 2009 In 2008/9, 75% of children excluded from school were boys. DCSF, 2010 Boys are four times more likely to be identified as having a behavioural, emotional or social difficulty. Gender and Education, DCSF, 2008 The Gender Gap

4. Why do boys underachieve? Boys often lack independence when they start school Young boys often find it difficult to hold a pencil and write Girls tend to use more language in their play from an early age A lack of male role models at school Peer pressure and a laddish culture in society An impatience with planning and preparation A tendency not to take time for reflection Boys’ low self esteem and limiting self beliefs Girls often have a more positive attitude towards reading

5. OFSTED Dashboard Ofsted School Data Dashboard for Durdans Park Primary School The OFSTED Dashboard website gives you data about Durndan’s Park and how we compare nationally to other schools. Ofsted School Data Dashboard for Durdans Park Primary School The OFSTED Dashboard website gives you data about Durndan’s Park and how we compare nationally to other schools.

6. Reading Comprehension Once your child is able to decode (use and apply their sounds to work out words). They need to be able to understand what they are reading. This is called reading comprehension. We assess the children's understanding of texts through questions. We have put together a handout with some questions you may like to ask your child when reading with them at home to deepen their understanding of what they are reading.

7. How you can help at home Many of the following suggestions are things that you will be doing already, but there may be some that you’ve not thought of.

8. You can help by: encouraging your child to be more independent, e.g. –dressing themselves –making lists of things they need for school encouraging your child to talk about how they are feeling praising your child, whether for academic performance or for good behaviour reading with your child helping your child to develop their speaking and listening skills. Even little changes can make a big difference !

9. Some ideas to take the pressure off!

10. Speaking and listening skills are important because: we use them to communicate to become good readers and writers children need speaking and listening skills. In general, boys’ speaking and listening skills are less developed than those of girls entering school. Exploring speaking and listening

11. Book behaviour, phonics, guided, independent, paired, comprehension, class libraries 1.Make some time to read stories together (even five minutes a day is a good start). 2.Read with as much expression as possible. 3.Talk about the pictures, drawing attention to details, e.g. –how do you think he or she is feeling? –what is happening behind him/her? 4.Encourage your child to predict the story, i.e. –what do you think is going to happen next? 5.When you’ve finished, ask if they can retell the story – either to you or to another member of the family. Top Tips: Talk about reading

12. When you are out and about, point out things you see around you and chat about them. Watch films and programmes on television together and discuss them afterwards, e.g. –What each of you liked about the programme. –Which characters were most interesting? –Which bits were funniest/scariest? Some general tips continued Talk as you do jobs around the house (this is sometimes the best time for your child to talk about their concerns and problems).

13. Help your child's reading with essential tips, fun activities and free eBooks. Oxford Owl - Welcome

14. www.wordsforlife.org.uk

15. Thank you for coming!