Go play Sandwell's Beyond the Book Take Over Day across Sandwell Libraries over half term at the following locations:

Stone Cross, Tipton, Wednesbury, Cradley, Hamstead, Brandhall, Bleakhouse and Smethwick. An exciting opportunity for children and young people to explore 'Beyond the Book'.

What to do for reading at home with your child.

Parents hear all the time that it’s important to read with children. But why exactly is that? 

Reading is an important way to help them build language skills. It gives them new words and ways of using language. It also helps them learn general information about the world, which makes it easier for them to learn about new subjects at school.

Even a few minutes of reading together gives you and your child a chance to slow down and connect with each other. You can do it at the same time every day or change up the routine. Your child doesn’t even need to be sitting with you — just sitting nearby with a book while they play can be a way to connect.

The important thing is for your child to hear words and language and to have books be part of their daily life. Any steps you’re able to take can make a big difference.

Reading at Cape

Your child will bring a book home. EYFS and KS1 - the book will not be a book they can read (that will be their phonics ebooks) but it will be a book to explore and share together. In KS2 your child will bring home a colour banded book that they can read (colour banded books are assessed to be the right level of reading for your child.) Children can also use the school library to borrow other books to enjoy. For more access to books, join your local library (it is free to join: https://prism.librarymanagementcloud.co.uk/sandwell/join) When you hear your child read, please record it in their home reading record. There is a video in the Cape Video resources centre that shows you how to do this.

Reading websites

EYFS and KS1 have books matched to their phonics knowledge. These are accessed online through Collins ebooks. Look out for opportunities to come into school abd be talked through using Collins ebooks. Make sure your child knows their login and get them to go online and read their book to you for a short time every evening.

KS2 have access to different reading websites. They mainly use reading plus but may also access readign eggs or lexia. These reading websites support their reading and can help with building reading fluency and comprehension (understanding).

If you have any questions or need support with reading at home, ask your class teacher or talk to me (Miss Donnelly, Assistant Head and English lead)

Wondering what to do with the rest of the holiday? Need to keep the kids amused for free?

Visit your local library!

Relax and read. If your child, isn't already a  member - sign them up (memebership is free)

Did you know that Smethwick library offers a variety of activities for children, adults, and families, including: 

• Children: Storytelling and craft sessions 
• Adults: Author visits, reading groups, IT classes, and Job Club 
• Families: Weekly Family Film Club 

The Under 5’s Storyteller Tour is absolutely FREE and suitable for 0-5 year olds accompanied by an adult. The tour will feature Storyteller Alex, whose energetic performances will bring stories to life. Come along and join in the fun with free books and resources provided! You may even get the chance to meet Sandy the Bear (Sandwell Libraries Mascot). You will also have the opportunity to sign up for the summer reading challenge.

2:30 – 3:30pm Thimblemill Library Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 5RJ

Dear parents/guardians,

First News is the leading source of news and news-based learning for children. It is age-appropriate (aimed at 7 to 14 year olds but accessible for all ages), impartial and helps keep kids reading and developing their critical literacy skills. 

We love using First News in the classroom and are thrilled to offer all Cape Primary School students a free First News digital subscription over the summer holidays. It’s packed with fun and educational content that will keep minds active and entertained all summer long. 

First News digital is available via an app and includes: 

• Daily news stories which children can read, listen and react to. These include reports on the Euros, the Summer Olympics, and the upcoming general election. 
• The latest issue of the newspaper and many past issues 
• Weekly polls to vote on 
• The latest episodes of Sky Kids FYI weekly news show  
• Fun puzzles and games: great for improving vocabulary 
• Tips & Talking points for parents and carers to help you talk about tricky topics with your children  

Click here for our school's unique access link:

https://subscribe.firstnews.co.uk/summer-reading-2024/?fn=REC5WEG5

A big thanks to everyone who used the Book Bus.

Our school got over £300 of free books for our children to read!

The Book Bus is coming  

Friday 11th July 

All books sold will mean more money for books in school.

See below for how/when to buy:

Black Country Early Years Festival

We are excited to announce details of the Black Country Early Years Festival to celebrate Black Country Day! There will be a  bringing together of local talent to celebrate the day with a week long of fun for under 5’s and their families, taking place at different library locations across Sandwell.  Join exciting storytelling and illustration sessions.

Follow the link below to find out more.

Details of festival on facebook page

Also see flyer below

What do the changes in homework mean for you?

Written homework in homework books has gone, so that we as a school can focus on 3 important things:

1. Reading
2. Spelling
3. Times tables (multiplication facts)

 Reading 

Hear your child read every day. A little each day is the best way - 10 minutes a night makes a huge difference.

Ways of reading/getting your child to read

• Hear your child read their collins ebook to you (KS1 or children in phonics groups) - fill in their reading record
• Hear your child read their book banded book to you (year 2 onwards and not in phonics). - fill in their reading record.
• Encourage your child to use the reading websites available to them - Collins e books/Reading Plus/Reading Eggs

Upcoming events

Exciting news!  DESIblitz.com are putting on FREE author events featuring the amazing local author Serena Patel, Children’s Author at Smethwick and West Bromwich libraries on Friday, February 16th! Suitable for ages 6-10, Serena will be reading from her award-winning series, Anisha, Accidental Detective, with opportunities for kids to ask questions. Plus, they can get creative with writing and craft activities! 
We'll also be there giving away FREE books for both kids and adults. Don't miss out—bring your little ones and have a fantastic day! See event details below:
 Date: February 16th
 Locations:
West Bromwich Library: 11:00 am to 12:00 noon
Smethwick Library: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Details

Event by BBC Tiny Happy People

Asda Cape Hill

Tickets

www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/asda-events/zjfk239

Reading Plus challenge

Encourage your child to read regularly on Reading Plus

Half-term week count too - let's improve our average reading lessons score.

What's new?

All classes now have their own author libraries for the children to read around a chosen author.

Our authors are:

Talk to your child about their author library. What books do they know by their author? Could the library give them a chance to read more books by this author?

Welcome to our Reading at home page.

This page will support you with reading at home with your child.

Look out for:

• Advice and support
• Keeping you up to date with book/reading events
• Book recommendations 
• All about Reading at Cape
• Anything to do with reading at home!

See the Home reading video in our cape video resource centre.