Reading Comprehension
Whole Class Guided Reading/ VIPERS
Whole class reading is the method used to teach individual children to become equipped and ready to answer a variety of comprehension questions. Children are explicitly taught the skills of reading (outlined in the National Curriculum and the KS1 and KS2 test domains). As a parent or guardian, it would be also helpful for you to be aware of these, so that you too can practice these skills with your child when listening to your child read:
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage One children's reading skills are taught and practised using the VIPERS during whole class reading sessions.
| KS1 Content Domain Reference | VIPER |
| 1a draw on knowledge of vocabulary to understand texts | Vocabulary |
| 1b identify/ explain key aspects of fiction and non-fiction, such as characters, events, titles and information. | Retrieve |
| 1c identify and explain the sequences of events in texts | Sequence |
| 1d make inferences from the text | Infer |
| 1e predict what might happen on the basis of what has been read so far | Predict |
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage Two children's reading skills are taught and practised using VIPERS during whole class reading sessions.
| KS2 Content Domain Reference | VIPER |
| 2a Give/explain the meaning of words in context | Vocabulary |
| 2b retrieve and record information/ identify key details from fiction and non/fiction | Retrieve |
| 2c summarise main ideas from more than one paragraph | Summarise |
| 2d make inferences from the text/ explain and justify inferences with evidence from the text | Infer |
| 2e predict what might happen from details stated or implied | Predict |
| 2f identify/explain how information/ narrative content is related and contributes to meaning as a whole | Explain |
| 2g identify/explain how meaning is enhanced through choice of words and phrases | Explain |
| 2h make comparisons within a text | Explain |
Example of VIPERS style questions for KS1:
Example of VIPERS style questions for KS2:
- Newstead Primary School, Hucknall Road, Newstead Village, Nottinghamshire, England, NG15 0BB
- E-Mail: office@newstead.notts.sch.uk
- Telephone:01623 753681