Letters and Sounds Welcome to Class 1

Phonics Letters and sounds, a combination of stories, pictures and actions for each sound. Sounds rather than letter names. 3 per week. Sheets for each letter brought home to reinforce learning. Includes letter formation and sound.

Set 1 – s, a, t, p Set 2 – i, n, m, d Set 3 – g, o, c, k Set 4 – ck, e, u, r Set 5 – h, b, f, ff, l, ll, ss Letters sets

Enunciation Phonemes ( sounds) should be articulated clearly and precisely See sounds on DfES There are 43 phonemes in the English language

A few more.... Set 6 – j, v, w, x Set 7 – y, z, zz, qu Constant diagraphs – ch, sh, th, ng Graphemes – ai, ee, igh, oa, oo, ar, or, ur, ow, oi, ear, air, er

This is where it gets tricky Phonemes are represented by graphemes. A grapheme consists of 1,2 or more letters A phoneme can be represented in more than one way ( cat, kennel, choir) The same grapheme may represent more than one phoneme (me, met)

How many phonemes are in these words Bleed Flop Cow Jumper

A phoneme you can hear A grapheme you can see

Blending (for reading) Recognising the letter sounds written in words eg c-u-p sh-ee-p Merging them into the correct order to pronounce the word cup and sheep

Segmenting (for spelling) Identifying the individual sounds in a spoken word (eg h-i-m or s-t-or-k) and writing down letters for each sound (phoneme) to form him and stork.

Some definitions A phoneme This is the smallest unit unit of sound in a word How many phonemes can you hear in cat?

A grapheme These are the letters that represent the phoneme The grapheme could be 1 letter, 2 letters or more! speed, crayon, slight, toast

Reading Emphasis on learning through range of strategies with strong emphasis on phonics. Use sounds as basis. Learn to recognise series of High Frequency Words, many of which cannot be sounded out phonically. ( the to I no go ) Also look at context and other clues to assist in understanding text.

Reading Begin by looking at books without text, telling own stories from pictures. Main reading scheme is Oxford Reading Tree Children work through scheme at own pace. Books supplemented by others at same level as required.

What you can do to help! Ensure children read scheme books. Look at phonics sheets and practise actions for each. Read bedtime stories! Look at and talk about printed language in their environment, on food packets, road signs, labels and leaflets.

Writing Children begin with “wiggles and squiggles”. They begin to ascribe meaning to these marks. Increasingly use phonic knowledge and letter formation in their writing Write simple “CVC” words as knowledge increases.

What you can do to help! Encourage children to draw, paint etc Show children your writing, shopping lists, things to do, birthday cards. Make scrap books, write postcards, party invitations. Develop fine motor skills by cutting, sewing, dot-to-dots etc.

In General We operate an open door policy and are always pleased to see any parent requiring information or advice. Any Questions?