Astro

Astro has been designed for Key Stage Two pupils who are struggling with their reading but still want to read books which are interesting, exciting and age-appropriate. Each book is levelled against two bands for example Stars/Turquoise and Mercury/Purple. The first band represents the child’s interest level/chronological age. The second represents their reading level (roughly one school year below the interest level).

Whilst the first 24 books do cover letter-sounds and common exception words relevant to the reading level, the books also feature some words which are above the reading level and phonics phase. For example, topic related vocabulary is featured to widen vocabulary knowledge. Therefore, the books are highly decodable rather than fully.

Astro covers a range of interest and curriculum linked topics including climate change, space, Black History, the Ice Age, sports and computing.

Yes. In the first 24 Astro books (covering bands Stars/Turquoise, Mercury/Purple, Venus/Gold, Earth/White), pupils can revisit earlier phonics learning and master aspects of phonics that they may not have already acquired. These books follow the Letters and Sounds 2007 phonics progression framework that is also used in the Reading Planet Rocket Phonics programme. The books cover four Astro colour bands which use letter-sounds and where appropriate, common exception words from the relevant reading level and phonics phase. The focus graphemes and phonemes and tricky words are also listed on the inside of each book.

Astro books have a range of features designed to help pupils with special educational needs. This includes the use of off-white paper in our black and white books to help reduce glare and contrast for dyslexic pupils. The books are highly visual with clear layouts, striking use of colour and accessible genres including a graphic novel series. Learn more on page 16 of our free Teacher’s Guide

Yes. Astro books are available in eBook format as part of the 1-year subscription to Reading Planet Online for Key Stage 2.  Every eBook includes self-marking pupil quizzes and audio which is ideal for supporting reluctant and struggling readers. There are also downloadable teaching notes for each eBook. As part of the subscription, you can also access 96 Reading Planet fiction and non-fiction eBooks for Key Stage 2.