Phonics and Early Reading
How we teach reading
Read, Write, Inc Phonic Programme
Learning to read is the most important thing your child will learn at our school. Everything else depends on it, so we put as much energy as we possibly can into making sure that every single child learns to read as quickly as possible. We want your child to love reading – and to want to read for themselves. This is why we put our efforts into making sure they develop a love of books as well as simply learning to read.
At St Joseph’s we follow the Read, Write, Inc Phonic programme.
Here at St Joseph’s, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. The children are assessed termly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant in small groups. The phonic lesson lasts between 30 and 40 minutes a day.
The Read Write Inc Leader is Mrs Slater. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch.
Children are also assessed by the Benchmarking programme termly. This is a diagnostic tool that identifies the child’s phonetic ability as well as their understanding of text. Children are provided with a reading book based on this assessment and these are in levels 1-30. These books often have tricky/non decodable words and therefore they are to be shared with grown-ups at home. This supports their reading for meaning and comprehension skills.
How will my child be taught to read?
Reading
When using RWI to read the children will:
Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple prompts.
Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk).
Read lovely stories and non-fiction texts featuring words they have learnt to sound out.
Answer comprehension-style questions with fun activities such as; 'jump in' and building fluency with 'questions to talk about'.
Writing
When using RWI to write the children will:
Learn to write the letter/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds.
Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (Fred fingers).
Talking
When using RWI the children will also work with a partner:
To answer questions
To build speed when reading
To take turns talking and listening to each other
Blending
Help your child learn to read words by sounding-blending (Fred talk) eg. c-a-t = cat, sh-o-p = shop.
The following link will give you additioanl information:
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/9P2GMiRb/E8RkWe5l
You can support your child at home by:
- Reading a variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, poems etc.) Ask questions, make predictions, enjoy some time together.
- Discuss the different features of the books (heading, title, rhyming words, punctuation)
- Explain the meaning of new words or use a dictionary together to find it out
- You could use puppets or soft toys to retell the story together
The following links will share with you what we do in class and additional ideas to help your child at home:
10 things to think about
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/KvaaQR93/WfyvfIzq
How to say the sound
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/Eg8wb1wl/a0GmOwIO
Sound blending
https://schools.ruthmiskin.com/training/view/RcTa59sk/sLa3RrNl
Useful Links
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk
Oxford Owl is a free website built to support you with your child’s learning. You’ll find age-specific reading and maths tips and activities, eBooks, and lots of fun ideas to really bring your child’s learning to life. You will also find support and advice on a range of questions you may have – including helping your child with their phonics, motivating boys to read and ensuring your child is doing their best in maths.
www.bookstart.co.uk
This website provides information about the national Bookstart scheme and the Bookstart packs that your child will receive as a baby, a toddler and at age three to four. It also gives information about sharing books with your child. You can find out about Bookstart events in your area, which you can attend with your child.
https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/
You can access the Ruth Miskin website which is the training provider for Readm, Write, Inc for further information.