Library lessons and Gifted texts

All KS3 pupils engage in library lessons in our purpose built library once a week. They are all gifted a classic novel once a term to read at home and consolidate in these library lessons. These novels have been carefully selected to enhance the pupils literature repertoire and understanding of the world and, within the lessons, pupils have dedicated time to develop their reading, writing and oracy skills while sharing ideas about these gifted texts.  

Tutor Time Reading

The Tutor Time Reading Programme is led by form tutors who read each text aloud modelling fluent and expressive reading whilst highlighting difficult language to close the vocabulary gap and expose our students to high level words. This programme seeks to place reading at the heart of the curriculum and ethos of Nishkam School West London.

The Tutor Time Reading Programme runs two mornings per week and each tutor group read for at least 15 minutes. Every tutor group is allocated a set text and tutors will read this text aloud while students follow in their own book. Tutors model fluent and expressive reading focusing on pace, pause, intonation and expression. They will identify and highlight difficult language to close the vocabulary gap and expose our students to high level words (vocabulary not normally encountered in everyday speech). As they read, tutors will discuss and embed synonyms of these high-level words to ensure students understand and are exposed to new, challenging language. Once a tutor group has finished a text, they will be allocated a new one.

Some of the books that we read include:

‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ by Arthur Conan Doyle

‘Peter Pan’ by J. M. Barrie

‘Norse Mythology’ by Neil Gaiman

‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Celia Owens

‘The Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig

‘Boys Don’t Cry’ by Malorie Blackman

‘Rani and Sukh’ by Bali Rai

‘The Fastest Boy in the World’ by Elizabeth Laird

‘Purple Hibiscus’ by Chimamanda Adichie.

Reading Mentors

Some students who need extra reading support are assigned a reading buddy to support them. These reading buddies are dedicated sixth form students who study English Literature at A Level. The bespoke sessions take place in the library during tutor times. 

Lexia

Lexia Power Up Literacy is also offered to Non-Secondary Ready students as a morning tutor time session every week. It is a type of software designed to assist in the rapid acquisition of reading and literacy skills in an engaging and consistent way.

The programs are designed to help students to become better, more confident readers. They are supported to develop their knowledge and reading skills relating to understanding of words, grammar and texts that they read. It helps them to secure the vocabulary and comprehension skills necessary for academic success.m/literacy-and-reading

Being an online computer program makes Lexia accessible and available for students to use independently and from home. It is also personalised and adapts to the progress of each student. We recommend spending at least 20 minutes a day on Lexia. The more time spent on the program, the more a student’s reading will improve.

Here’s how it works:

1. The first time your child logs on, the session will begin with an activity to place them on a level appropriate to them.
2. Then, they should work through the activities for 20-30 minutes per day, Monday to Friday.
3. Your child will be given a weekly usage target in their account online and they should try to meet this each week. The more they do, the more their reading will improve.
4. To reward your child for consistent hard work, they will earn ‘streaks’ and will receive rewards within their online account. We will also provide school rewards for regular use of the program at home.
5. Your child’s English teacher will be able to see the work they complete online and how long they spend on the program. They will monitor how they are doing and will get in contact if they notice your child really struggling or if they are not doing 20-30 minutes per day.

Lexia PowerUp Student Login: https://www.lexiapowerup.com