

About Read Write Inc. Comprehension
In a nutshell – stay after Grey!
Read Write Inc. Comprehension supports children’s reading fluency and comprehension.
This is the ideal programme for children who have completed Read Write Inc. Phonics. They already know the talk routines and management signals so you can get straight to the teaching. There is no shortcut to fluency or comprehension, but this seamless and consistent approach gives children a head start.
There are 20 Modules in the programme, each with two texts – one fiction and non-fiction. The first is the ideal length for children’s reading stamina at this stage, the second shares the same theme but is shorter and perfect for developing children’s writing.
How does it help climb the fluency ladder?
- Comprehension is designed to inspire so children want to keep reading. Each step draws children in – from the opening ‘Big Question’ which is the key to understanding the story, to the ‘Teacher Read Aloud’ which breathes life into the text.
- Children gain confidence to read more widely. They repeat the same steps over the 20 Modules which gives them the confidence and the tools to unlock the meaning of longer texts. They practise decoding unfamiliar words and investigating new vocabulary. They work in partners to discuss ‘why’ questions and to build a mental model as they read.
- Daily writing activities build on the reading activities, developing children’s grammar, punctuation and composition.
- The programme can be used flexibly. It covers everything you need for your English lessons with jumping off points for developing vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and composition. And, you can use it to complement other reading and writing activities.
Time required for teaching
A teacher leads the session for one hour a day. Each Module can be taught over one or two weeks, depending on how much time is spent on the writing activities. We also recommend a daily 10-minute handwriting lesson and a 20-minute storytime session at different times in the day.
Entry assessment
Children must be able to read the Read Write Inc. Phonics Grey Storybooks comfortably to begin the programme.
Children who have not been taught to read using Read Write Inc. Phonics will need to read the entry assessment in the Comprehension Handbook to check they have the necessary decoding ability.
Find out more in this overview film.