How Children Learn to Read

Reading is a complex skill Fluent Reading Word Recognition Phonetic decoding Comprehension Knowledge of different text types

What do we do in School to help your Child Learn to Read? Phonics sessions Key word cardsGuided reading Individual reading

Phonics Linking letters (graphemes) to the sounds they make (phonemes) Daily phonics in 3 small groups- develop children’s grasp of letters and the sounds they make. Groups taken by Gill Davies, Sue Brown, Rachael Dale, Julie Wiseman. Sessions focus on developing children’s grasp of letter sounds and their ability to apply this knowledge to reading and writing.

Phase 1 Phonics Early phonics skills Phase 1 Learning about sounds Environmental sounds Instrumental sounds Alliteration Rhythm and rhyme Voice sounds Oral blending and segmenting

Phase 2 and 3 Phonics Phase 2 Phase 3 m,a,s,t,I,n,p,g,o,c,k,ck,u,r,b,f, e,l,h,ll,ff,ss j,v,w,xy,z,sh,qu,ch,sh,th,ng CVC words

Phase 4 and 5 Phonics Phase 5 Phase 4 Combinations of consonants at beginning, within and end of words e.g. best, stop, faster More complex vowel combinations (e.g. ee,oo, ai, igh, oa etc)

Typical Daily Phonics Session Multisensory – use letter picture cards, objects, games, actions, computers, Recap letters covered Say it fast Break it down Hear the new sound Introduce the letter shape Stretch and read words with the new letter Write the letters – on the interactive white board, in the air, on the carpet, on small whiteboards

Individual Reading Sessions Every week each child will read individually to a member of staff. Reading books organised into numbered book boxes, that gradually increase in difficulty. Children’s progress monitored and they are moved through the book boxes as they are ready. It is very important that children are not moved through the book boxes too quickly as they need a secure foundation to their reading. If they are pushed too quickly and their reading skills are not securely established they can have difficulties when they are further through the boxes.

Guided Reading Sessions Once a week every child will read in a guided reading group. Children grouped with others who are at a similar stage of learning to read. Groups changed regularly as children learn at different rates. All children have a copy of the same book. The teaching of reading takes place in this group.

Keyword Cards Keyword cards used to help build up your child’s sight vocabulary which is essential for fluent reading. Wordcards checked and changed every Monday. Certificates warded for 25, 50, 75 and 100 keywords. Given out in Friday’s celebration assembly.

What Can You Do to Help your Child Learn to Read Hear your child read at home, every day if possible. Record what you have read in your child’s reading at home record book. Help every week with the phonics activities sent home in your child’s pink homework book. Help your child to practice their word cards. Little and often is best for this. Read to your child and enjoy stories together. Play the phonics games on and to help reinforce your child’s grasp of phonics.