How do we teach RWI phonics in our school?

We follow the Read, Write Inc approach to early reading at our school.

Phonics is taught daily in small groups by staff who are trained by our Read, Write Inc consultant. All children are regularly assessed so that we can make sure that they are being taught at their ‘challenge point’ enabling them to make the best progress possible.

Parents are encouraged to support their child’s learning. Weekly videos are sent home, via Class Dojo, for parents and children to learn together.

Reading

The children:

• learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts
• 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

What are pure sounds?

We use pure sounds (‘m’ not’ muh’,’s’ not ‘suh’, etc.) so that your child will be able to blend the sounds into words more easily.

At school we use a puppet called Fred who is an expert on sounding out words! we call it, ‘Fred Talk’. E.g. m-o-p, c-a-t, m-a-n, sh-o-p, b-l-a-ck.

A guide to the pronunciation of pure sounds can be found at:

 

The children are taught the sounds in 3 sets throuhgout their time in Key Stage 1.

What are green and red words?

Within all the books children will have red and green words to learn to help them to become speedy readers. Red words are words that are not easily decodable and challenge words to extend children’s vocabulary. Green words are linked to the sounds they have been learning and are easily decodable.

What are nonsense words?

As well as learning to read and blend real words children will have plenty of opportunities to apply their sound recognition skills on reading ‘Nonsense words’. These words will also feature heavily in the Year One Phonics Screening check in the summer term.

What are ditties and storybooks?

During the RWI session children will read short books called ditties and then longer books called storybooks. They read the book three times in class and at each new reading they will have plenty of opportunities to develop their fluency and comprehension skills.

What are book bag books?

Once the children have read a ditty or storybook in class, they will bring home a book bag book to read at home. This book is a book they will be able to read themselves by sounding out and blending to read the words. Please support your child by hearing them read and giving them lots of praise and encouragement. They need to read this book 3 times in order to develop their fluency.

 

If you have any questions regarding your child’s phonics learning journey, please have a chat with their class teacher or contact anita.mills@magdalen.laat.co.uk