Welldon Park Primary School Welcome to our Year 1 Phonics Meeting February 2017 How are we doing?

To give information about how children are assessed in phonics Aims of the meeting To give information about how children are assessed in phonics To discuss how the children are supported in school and how we can work together

What is the phonics screening check? The phonics screening check is a short, simple assessment to make sure that all pupils have learned phonic decoding to an appropriate standard by the age of 6. All year 1 pupils in maintained schools, academies and free schools must complete the check. The phonics check will help teachers identify the children who need extra help so they can receive the support they need to improve their reading skills. These children will then be able to retake the check in year 2.

The Year 1 Phonics Screening check This check shows how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned so far. It helps us know who needs extra phonics help. The Department for Education defines the checks as “short, light-touch assessments” that take about four to nine minutes to complete. http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/resources/parent- tutorial-phonics-screening-check/

What is on it? It contains 40 words: real and non-words There are two sections Section one: simple word structures of three or four letters Section two: more complex word structures of five or six letters Practice words that the child can read with the teacher before starting the check Each non-word has a picture of an alien as if the word is the alien’s name

When does the check take place? The check takes place in the week beginning Monday 12th June

What will the score mean? The child will be scored against a national standard In previous years, the ‘pass threshold’ was 32 which means a child has to read at least 32 words correctly The pass threshold is communicated to schools at the end of June We will let you know how your child has done If your child’s score is below the standard, he/she will receive extra phonics help and can re-take the check in year 2

Go over the phonics that they have learnt so far How can I help my child? Go over the phonics that they have learnt so far Read new books and stories Play phonics games such as found on Oxford Owl website https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/fo r-home/phonics-made-easy/

Preparing to teach reading - Fred Games Fred is a little green frog that can only speak in sounds. Using Fred, we help children learn to blend sounds together to form words. Watch a variety of 'Fred Games' that you can play with your child to support them while they're learning to read. http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/resources/par ent-tutorial-preparing-teach-reading-fred- games/