Read Write Inc Phonics at SPAH

What is phonics?

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skilfully. They are taught how to:

* Recognise the sounds that individual letters make

* Identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make-such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’

* Blend these sounds together from left to right to make a word

Children can then use this knowledge to ‘decode’ new words that they hear or see. This is the first important step in learning to read.

The children are taught to read words by blending, which means pushing all the sounds together to make a word. The children are taught to spell words by segmenting, which means sounding out words and writing down the sounds they can hear.

How is phonics taught?

Phonics is taught daily to all children in EYFS and Key Stage 1. Phonics is also taught to children in Key Stage 2, who require further support with phonics and reading.

Our phonics teaching takes place in small groups which are targeted to the needs of particular learners.

We use the RWI guidance to provide the basis for our phonics teaching. We additionally use songs and actions from Jolly Phonics and Letters and Sounds, to help us remember our sounds in the early stages of our learning.

Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions:  

Purpose – know the purpose of every activity and share it with the children, so they know the one thing they should be thinking about

Participation – ensure every child participates throughout the lesson. Partnership work is fundamental to learning

Praise – ensure children are praised for effort and learning, not ability

Pace – teach at an effective pace and devote every moment to teaching and learning

Passion – be passionate about teaching so children can be engaged emotionally.

Progression in Phonics

By the end of Reception children are expected to be secure in Green Group. By the end of Year 1 children are expected to be secure in Blue Group.  When finishing Key Stage 1, most children should be secure in phonics – learning moves away from learning sounds and focuses on spelling rules and patterns using RWI Spelling. After this children are taught spelling rules and patterns throughout Key Stage 2.

 Useful Websites

• Read Write Inc. - for more information and ideas for supporting your child visit the RWI website.

• Oxford Owl - visit the Oxford Owl website which has over 100 free eBooks for to enjoy with your child.