Phonics:
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skillfully by teaching letters and sounds that are then blended into words. At St. John Fisher we use a scheme called Read Write Inc Phonics: The children are taught how to:
- Recognise individual sounds using a picture clue
- Identify “special friends” where more than one letter makes a sound, e.g. the “ay” as in play or the “igh” as in fright.
- Blend sounds together to make words
- Read sounds taught in a short story book
- Use this new knowledge to “Fred Talk” new words they come across
Children begin to learn phonics right from their first years in school, in our Nursery and Reception classes. This supports them in matching letters and sounds and introduces them in a structured way.
All children in year 1 continue to learn phonics in daily sessions, and in year 2 for those children who need it. Children are assessed half termly to ensure they are grouped at the right level and make sure that they get the adult support they need to succeed.
When using RWI to read the children will:
- Learn sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using pictorial prompts.
- Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred Talk).
- Read stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out.
- Show that they comprehend the stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It' questions.
When using RWI to write the children will:
- Learn to write the letter/letter groups which represent the sounds, using simple rhymes to aid letter formation
- Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (Fred fingers).
- Learn to write sentences and create writing for a purpose linked to the books they have read in phonics lessons.
Reading Books - What will my child bring home?
Children who are learning single letter sounds and are not yet blending fluently will bring home sound cards, letter formation sheets and a Reading for Pleasure book for you to read with them.
Once children can blend fluently they will bring home Read Write Inc books. Children will bring home a ‘book bag’ book linked to the story that they have been reading in class. Please read this book at least three times in the week.
Before your child begins to read the book, please encourage your child to read though the speed sounds page, then the green and red words page and then check your child understands the meaning of words on the vocabulary check page. At the back of the book are find it/prove it questions for you to do with your child.
You can find more information on the Read Write Inc Parent Information website such as pronunciation videos, how to support your child with reading, and information about the Phonics Screening Check.
Finally, don't worry if your child is struggling at first with their sounds and words, they will get there in their own time. The most important thing you can do to support your child is read stories and talk about what they have read. This will help develop a wider vocabulary which makes a vast difference to their quality of writing but it will also encourage them to enjoy a good story.
Year 1 Phonics Screening
What is the Phonics Screening Check?
The national phonics screening check was introduced in 2012 to all year one pupils. It is a short statutory assessment to confirm whether children are able to decode words to read them. It aims to identify children who need extra help so that they can be given support to improve their reading skills.
When does it take place?
The phonics screening check takes place in June.
What form does the phonics screening check take?
The child will be taken by a teacher and asked to read 40 words, 20 real words and 20 non-words (nonsense words or alien words). The format of the assessment will not be new to the children, they practice these words, in groups and individually, in class throughout the year. The purpose of reading non-words is to test a child’s phonics ability – they will not be able to guess these words and can only read them with their good phonetic knowledge.
What happens if children do not pass in year one?
They will re-take the phonics screening check in year two.
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