READ WRITE INC.
Phonics
‘Phonics gives children the key to unlocking this alphabetic code for their reading and spelling.’
DFE, National Curriculum
READ WRITE INC. PHONICS AND READING 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 Fairfield Primary, we follow the Read Write Inc (RWInc) Phonics/Reading scheme. Read, Write Inc is a highly successful phonics programme for children aged 4 to 7 who are learning to read and write. It teaches children how to both decode and understand written language to become confident and enthusiastic readers and writers. This is achieved by a dynamic approach to teaching phonics that is consistent across the school using the Read, Write Inc phonics resources and fully decodable reading books.
Children are grouped according to their ability in Early Years and Key Stage 1 to ensure that teaching is matched to their level. Phonics in Early Years and Key Stage 1 takes place on a daily basis. Children in Key Stage 2 that still require phonics teaching, continue with a specially tailored programme (RWInc) to meet their individual needs.
HOW WILL MY CHILD BE TAUGHT TO READ?
We teach the children phonics straight away in Reception. This means that they learn how to ‘read’ the (Phonemes) sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down (Graphemes). This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn to spell well.
We teach the children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters. Once the children have learnt to blend accurately, they start to read with fluency. This is achieved through speedy reading of individual words and repeated reads of their shared reading books. 'Tricky words' such as 'once' 'said' 'the' are not phonetically decodable and these are taught explicitly as part of the reading session.
Children who join the School throughout the year are quickly assessed in phonics and grouped according to their ability. Children in Early Years and Key Stage 1 are assessed and regrouped every half term to ensure they receive the correct level of support and challenge. If children are not where we would expect them to be at certain points in the year, they will have daily extra phonics practise with their Reading Tutor, to secure progress. Every child learns to read and becomes a reader!
GOOD READING HABITS
Throughout the curriculum, teachers encourage children to develop these reading habits:
- To sound/out segment words that they find difficult to say.
- Reread phrases, sentences or paragrphs in order to help with understanding.
- Infer from the text: consider what a character is like/what they are feeling; develop your own picture of a setting, adding in your own features based on what you have read.
- Identify words that are tricky and to try and infer meaning from the text.
- Make predictions based on what has been read.
- Ask questions based on what you have read and your own interests.
- Make links with other texts based on themes/styles.
- Develop your own opinion on the text.
READ, WRITE INC. HAS 5 UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES - THE FIVE Ps:
1. PACE – no time is wasted during teaching sessions! Children are active and involved in a fun and creative way. The aim is for the children to complete the programme as quickly as possible.
2. PRAISE – teachers praise the children constantly throughout the teaching sessions. Children learn more quickly when they are praised for what they do well.
3. PURPOSE – each activity has a very clear purpose. The teacher will set this purpose at the beginning of the lesson so that the children know exactly what they will be learning.
4. PARTICIPATION – all children take part in all parts of the lesson. Full participation is gained through partner work and choral response.
5. PASSION – as a staff we are passionate about our teaching and the benefits of the Read, Write Inc. programme! We love teaching the sessions and this enthusiasm rubs off onto the children.
READ WRITE INC. SUPPORT AT HOME
There are free video tutorials on the Ruth Miskin website - Click here
Select ‘Find out more’ at the top, then ‘Parents’ from the drop-down list:
HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD TO LEARN SET 1 SOUNDS AND TO BLEND?
Use pure sounds, not letter names. Watch the ‘how to say the sounds’ parent film here
Practise reading known Set 1 Speed Sounds cards speedily. If needed, show your child the picture side of the card to help them remember the sound.
We teach children to read and spell using Fred. He is a toy frog who can say the sounds in words, but not the whole word. Children have to help him.
To help children learn to blend, we say the sounds as Fred and then children repeat the sounds and say the whole word.
WAYS TO USE FRED TALK AT HOME
Play Fred Games together – see Fred Games document by clicking hereSpeak like Fred throughout the day e.g. time for l-u-n-ch! Let’s p-l-ay! · Watch the ‘Sound-blending’ parent film here
HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD TO LEARN SET 2 OR 3 SOUNDS?
Watch the 'Set 2/3 tutoring' film by clicking here
Help your child practise reading known Speed Sounds cards speedily. If needed, show your child the picture side of the card to help them remember the sound.
USEFUL LINKS
Ruth Miskin Literacy Home Page Oxford Owl Reading
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.
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.
Fred Games DocumentHandwriting Phrases from Read Write Inc.