Dear Oak, Hornbeam, Beech and Ash Parents,
This letter contains information about our systems for borrowing books from our school library. Your child will also bring home a leaflet with more practical tips for reading at home when they are given their first book.
Over the next few days we will assess the pupils in Hornbeam, Beech and Ash Classes to find out which coloured book band they should be borrowing books from. Your child will choose a book from our library within that band to bring home on Monday 9th September. Children in Oak Class will choose a book from our new Sharing At Home book box in the library. These books are to be read with an adult and there is no expectation that the children read the words. However some pupils may like to sound out some of the words. Later in the year, Oak Class will be assessed against the book bands as they are introduced to phonics and reading in class.
From Monday onwards, you and your child may choose to take books home as often as you like (one at a time); just ensure that they are placed into the correct band or with the Sharing At Home books when returned. Each banded book has a coloured sticker on the spine to help you. There is no particular order in which the books should be read, so you can pick the ones which interest your child and there is no requirement to read all of them.
They will also bring home a bookmark which will indicate the band that they should choose books from. You can use this as a record of the picture books that they have read and it will also give you information and ideas to support your child at home. As they move to another band they will be given a new bookmark.
We will carry out regular assessments to check which bands the children are reading within. Additionally, you may feel that particular books are too easy or difficult for your child. In this case, speak to your child’s teacher.
You can access the library from 8:40 to 8:55. Please use the door that faces the field. We do understand that not all parents are able to come to school regularly. If you are unable to visit the library, each class will have a designated place where book bags can be put if books need changing.
So that we can keep track of the books, there is a sheet for each child to record what books they have borrowed. These are clearly labelled in class trays in the library. Please note down on the record sheet provided the name of the book and date borrowed and returned. There will usually be a member of staff in the library, but if there’s no one around and you need some help come and find Mrs Fletcher in Beech Class or on the playground. There is a small charge of £3 if any books are not returned.
Thank you for giving this your attention.
Yours sincerely,
The Oak, Hornbeam, Beech and Ash Class Teams