How we help children learn to read and write

What is Phonics? A method of teaching reading by correlating sounds with letters or groups of letters in an alphabetic writing system. It provides the building blocks for learning to read and spell. We also link it to letter formation to support early writing.

Terminology Phoneme is a sound in a word Grapheme is a letter or sequence of letters that represent a phoneme Segment/sound talk/sound out breaking a word down into its sounds Blending/blend building the word from its sounds to make the whole word. Tricky Words words that don’t follow a rule

How do we teach it? Letters and Sounds programme Teach the pure sound, a sound a day Ruth Miskin 20 minutes everyday Whole class phonics Supported groups and Pre Teach Part of everyday provision inside/outside

Speaking and listening Reading and writing skills are built on the foundations of speaking and listening ‘Reading and writing float on a sea of talk…’ Development of speaking and listening underpins everything we do Listening games Talk partners Encouragement to use language to describe emotions, ideas and explain thinking Opportunities to listen to other children Speaking and listening are highly valued

Making stories Our classrooms are saturated with opportunities to retell or make up narratives, inside and out Role play Small world Story sacks Puppets Book Corner Story time

Drawing into Writing To make up and tell stories based on: Their own experience Their knowledge of stories Their imaginations Particular stories Drawing improves fine motor skills Drawing with chalk, pens, pencils, playdough, in sand etc

Writing opportunities Reading and writing for a purpose In the home corner In construction area In maths area In creative area In the writing area Outside

1:1 reading & Reading Books Once a week 1:1 with an adult Understanding what they have read Linking pictures with the language for understanding Use pictures as cues Which way up Picture cues Noticing text Reading l-r Initial sounds End and the middle sounds in simple cvc Comprehension 90% correct before we move on to new level New Reading Record book Enjoy the book 10