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It provides a systematic approach to teaching children how to read and write in their first year of school. It is a synthetic phonics programme where the children first learn the letter sounds and are then taught to read words by blending, the sounds together. This method allows children to work out unknown words for themselves, rather than being asked to memorise them, and is an important step towards independent reading. 2

Storybooks are important – they give the children a love of books, enrich their vocabulary and give them a deeper understanding of how language works. It is best to read them to the children in the initial stages and encourage them to talk about the stories. But the children need to ‘crack the code’ of English to become independent readers. 3

The 5 basic skills of Jolly Phonics are: 1.Learning the letter sounds 2.Learning letter formation 3.Blending 4.Identifying sounds in words 5.Tricky words The key to ‘cracking the code’ of the English language lies in five key skills. The first four skills are taught together every day, from the beginning. ‘Tricky words’ are introduced after about 6 weeks of teaching. By then, most of the children can work out simple, regular words for reading and writing and are ready to learn more difficult or ‘tricky’ words. 4

Children learn in a fun, multi-sensory way using stories and actions. Learning the action for the /s/ sound: Weave your hand like a snake, making an ‘s’ shape, saying sssssss. 1. Learning the letter sounds 5

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Digraphs are two letters that make one sound. 1. Learning the letter sounds 7

8 The alternative spellings of the vowel sounds: (rain) (play) (flame) (feet) (boat) (leaf) (these) (snow) (bone) 1. Learning the letter sounds

9 Correct formation can be encouraged from the very beginning: Feel the letter formation See the letter formation Write the letter in the air 2. Learning the letter formation

10 The children need to learn how to hold their pencil properly right from the start: ‘Tripod’ grip ‘Froggy legs’ movement Pinch pencil 2. Learning the letter formation

11 Blending skills are essential for reading. They can be taught right from the start. 3. Blending

12 Regular practice is the key to blending words with digraphs and consonant blends: 3. Blending Digraphs Word Boxes

13 Lots of practice is needed before children can identify all the sounds in words: Sounding out words Word families Removing the first sound Chopping game 4. Identifying sounds in words

14 To read tricky words well, the children need to: Work out the ‘tricky’ bits Have regular flashcard practice 5. Tricky words

15 Autumn termSpring termSummer term Teach the 42 sounds Introduce letter names Teach alternative spellings Revise alternative spellings Teach how to form the letters correctly Teach handwriting rules and give writing practice Give handwriting practice Teach how to blend simple regular words Introduce Reading Practice blending words with alternative spellings Continue with Reading and blending practice Teach how to write words by listening for sounds Give regular dictation of words and sentences Continue regular dictation Encourage independent writing Teach how to read and write first set of tricky words Teach the reading and writing of more tricky words Ensure the children know the first 60 tricky words

At the end of Year 1 children complete a Phonics Screening Check. This is meant to show how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned up to the end of Year 1. The checks consist of 40 words and non-words that your child will be asked to read one-on-one with a teacher. Non-words, or nonsense words (alien words) are a collection of letters that will follow phonics rules your child has been taught, but don’t mean anything – your child will need to read these with the correct sounds to show that they understand the phonics rules behind them. 16

The 40 words and non-words are divided into two sections – one with simple word structures of three or four letters, and one with more complex word structures of five or six letters. The teacher administering the check with your child will give them a few practice words to read first – including some non-words – so they understand more about what they have to do. Each of the non-words is presented with a picture of an alien, as if the word were their name (and so your child doesn't think the word is a mistake because it doesn't make sense!). 17

Your child will be scored against a national standard, and the main result will be whether or not they fall below, within or above this standard. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 the "pass threshold" was 32, which means children had to read at least 32 words out of 40 correctly. The threshold mark is communicated to schools at the end of June, after the test has been taken, so that teachers can mark the Check. You will be told how your child did, but schools’ results will not be published. If your child’s score falls below the standard, they will be given extra phonics help and can re-take the Phonics screening check in Year 2. 18

19 You will now have the opportunity to have a go at the Phonics Screening Check that 5 and 6 year olds have to complete at the end of Year 1.

How would you say these real and non-words (alien words)? 20

You can help your child prepare for their Phonics Screening Check by going over the phonics they’ve learned in Reception and Year 1. Make time for your child to read their school book to you daily, pointing out specific digraph sounds. Read new books and stories with them where they will be introduced to new words that they’ll have to sound out. Review the phonics sounds and rules. 21

22 A site packed with interactive phonics games. Have fun with phonics by watching The Alphablocks and playing their online games. Links to the best free online phonics games which can help your child to develop their phonics skills and knowledge of letter sounds. Literacy games with different objectives. Free printable resources for the Letters and Sounds phonics programme plus free online games linked to the Letters and Sounds phases for teaching reading.