Phonics
Early reading is taught through a systemic synthetic phonics programme called Read, Write Inc. This programme is used with all pupils in Reception and year 1. Pupils who do not pass the phonics screening test at the end of year 1 continue on the Read Write Inc programme into year 2.
Read write Inc allows pupils to be taught the sounds they need to read and then to use and apply them. Once ready, pupils will be introduced to ditties/reading books, which use the sounds they have been taught and allow them to apply their phonic knowledge through reading. As their phonic knowledge increases, so does the complexity of the books they read.
The early reading journey begins with our youngest pupils in nursery.
Nursery - The 7 aspects:
- Aspect 1: General sound discrimination – environmental sounds
- Aspect 2: General sound discrimination – instrumental sounds
- Aspect 3: General sound discrimination – body percussion
- Aspect 4: Rhythm and rhyme
- Aspect 5: Alliteration
- Aspect 6: Voice sounds
- Aspect 7: Oral blending and segmenting.
By the end of nursery, children will have experienced a wealth of listening activities including songs, stories and rhymes. They will be able to distinguish between speech sounds and many will be able to blend and segment words orally. Some will also be able to recognise spoken words that rhyme and will be able to provide a string of rhyming words. Some children will be ready to start learning synthetic phonics and will move on to our next aspect of phonic teaching: Read, Write Inc. All pupils in our nursery will begin Set 1 sounds from Read Write inc. in the summer term.
Read, Write, Inc. is a systematic phonics programme designed to teach children to:
- Learn to read and write the 44 phonemes in the English Language
- Read using sound blending
- Write words by saying the sounds and graphemes
- Read some short, simple ditties and then quickly progress to reading the storybooks – this includes developing comprehension skills
Lessons
Reception, Year 1, and any children still requiring phonics in years 2-4 have a daily phonics sessions. Pupils is years 5 and 6 who require phonics lessons follow the Fresh Start programme within Read write Inc. All children who access phonics are assessed regularly and grouped in ability groups.
Phonetically decodable reading books
When ready and able, pupils will be given a decodable reading book that is carefully matched to their phonics ability. Pupils read this book within their daily reading lesson but also take the book home to practise and share with their parents/carers.
Intervention
Any child who does not keep up with their phonics lessons receive 1:1 or small group tutoring to ensure all children continue to make progress.
Phonics Resources
We have created some useful documents for families to use at home when their children.
Additional information and resources can be found on Oxford Owls