Phonics
Phonics is a method used for teaching children to read and write the English Language. It develops phonemic awareness (the ability to hear, identify and manipulate phonemes). It enables children to understand the correspondence between these sounds and the spelling patterns (graphemes) that represent them.
Read Write Inc
We follow a phonics program called 'Read Write Inc (RWI)'.
RWI teaches children to connect sounds with pictures; words with their meanings; and stories with the sounds they know. They connect their own experiences to the stories they read and learn to lift the words off the page.
Children learn one thing at a time and practise it until it becomes second nature. Interactive practice keeps children focused, and their capacity to learn develops.
They learn at a spot that is not too easy nor too hard, with other children at a similar challenge level. No time is wasted.
Children remember what they learn by saying it out loud to a partner. If they can’t explain it, the teacher repeats it until they can.
Teachers are trained so they have capacity to show love for what they do. The more they love teaching, the more the children love learning.
How will RWI be taught?
All children are assessed regularly by their classteacher, they will then be grouped according to their assessment outcome so your child will work with children at the same level and we can ensure that our sessions are perfectly matched to your child’s individual needs.
Glossary:
‘Fred Talk’ – sounding out the word before reading. c-a-t
‘Sound-blending’ – putting the sounding – or ‘Fred Talk’ together to make a word,
e.g. c–a–t = cat
‘Special Friends’ – 2 letters that make 1 sound
e.g. sh, ng, qu, ch, ee
-3 letters that make 1 sound
e.g. igh, ear, ure
‘Speed Sounds’ – the individual sounds that make up words
The RWI approach:
Reading
The children:
- learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts – see below
- learn to read words using Fred talk and sound blending
- read from a range of storybooks and non-fictions books matched to their phonic knowledge
- work well with partners
- develop comprehension skills in stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It' discussion questions
Writing
The children:
- learn to write and form the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds with the help of fun phrases
- learn to write words by using Fred Talk
- learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before they write
Talking
The children
- They work in pairs so that they:
- answer every question
- practise every activity with their partner
- take turns in talking and reading to each other
- develop ambitious vocabulary
These are the sets of sounds that children are taught:
These are the RED words (tricky words / Common Exception Words) that children learn to read and write within their RWI lessons
Phonics with Mr Poole
Our Headteacher has created some great phonics videos to help you practice your phonics at home. Have a look on his YouTube channel: