Phonics

Read Write Inc. Phonics Programme

Read Write Inc (RWInc.) is a Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, at Colham Manor we begin the programme Nursery from, the summer term for children who are ready and will continue teaching RWInc. to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support with their reading.

The RWInc. the programme for early readers is strongly focussed on a rigorous and sequential approach to teaching phonics and is combined with a sharp focus on ensuring children acquire a wide vocabulary, addressing identified vocabulary deficit. This provides children with the foundations for future learning.  At all stages, reading attainment is assessed and gaps are addressed quickly and effectively for all pupils. Reading books align closely to the phonics knowledge pupils are taught when they are learning to read. When children have proceeded beyond reading grey books which is the highest level of book within the programme, they will progress onto using the Accelerated Reader programme.

Saying the letter sounds

We use pure sounds so the children are able to blend the sounds into words more easily. You can hear how the sounds are pronounced by clicking on this link:

Meet Fred!


 

Children will get to know Fred very well! He is a frog who can only speak in sounds (called “Fred Talk”). For example, instead of saying “dog”, he would say d-o-g. Instead of “sheep” he would say “sh-ee-p”. The children help Fred to say the word correctly! Children will also be taught how to write the letter that represents the sound using correct letter formation. Each letter sound has a picture which children become familiar with. Each picture has a handwriting phrase which helps children to remember the sound and to form their letters in the correct way. It is really important to ensure you help your child to write using lower case letters. They will learn about reading and writing capital letters at a later stage.

Children will start by ‘reading/sharing’ Wordless books.

The purpose of the wordless books is for you and your child to talk about the pictures, to say what is happening, what might happen next, and to make up a story together about the book. Children who are learning the first few letter sounds will bring these books home. It is important at this stage for children to practise their oral blending skills.

Try getting your child to look for objects at home that can be sounded out in ‘Fred Talk’ You could practise in the kitchen by saying can you see the t-a-p? the s-ink? the t-i-n? or in the living room; the ch-ai-r?, the r-u-g? or with toys: the d-o-ll, the c-ar, and animals: c-a-t/d-o-g/p-i-g.

Green Words

These are words that the children can use “Fred Talk” to read.

The green word cards have a dot or “sound button” under each sound. Words that contain “special friends” (two letters which together make one sound such as sh, th, ch) have a line under the letters that make up the “special friends”. The word “ship” contains three sounds “sh–i–p”.

Red Words

Red words are words that children can’t use “Fred Talk” to read. They either have an unusual spelling or they contain sounds that children have not yet been taught. (If the latter is the case, once the sounds are taught, these words will no longer be red words).

Our aim is for children to know their Set 1 sounds by Christmas to enable them to use the sounds they know to blend for early reading. Once children have mastered their Set 1 sounds, they will start to read ‘Ditties’ (short, phonetic phrases.) and once they are secure with the Set 1 diagraphs (special friends) they will then move onto RWInc. ‘book bag books’ according to the RWInc colour group they are in.

Children will then start to change their book bag book with their Phonics teacher. This way we can ensure that every child is reading at the correct level according to the progress they are making in the Phonics scheme. By the end of the Reception Year children should be beginning to learn the set 2 sounds below:

Parents/carers are invited into school during the first term of the child’s reception year to experience a typical Read write Inc speed sounds lesson with their child. Other information sharing meetings are also organised by the Phonics Lead so that parents and carers are fully informed of the Phonics screening process in Year 1.

Progression Beyond Phonics

• Please see Colham Manor Primary School’s ‘Reading Policy’