Letters and Sounds A parents guide to the teaching of Phonics

What is phonics? Phonics teaching involves teaching children the sounds of letters (not just the names) and how to segment and blend them together to make words, e.g. c-a-t can be blended to make cat. Phonics teaching involves teaching children the sounds of letters (not just the names) and how to segment and blend them together to make words, e.g. c-a-t can be blended to make cat. C-a-t

Phonics consists of: Identifying sounds in spoken words, e.g. sat, pin, pat. Identifying sounds in spoken words, e.g. sat, pin, pat. Recognising the common spelling of each phoneme: e.g. sh, ay, ch Recognising the common spelling of each phoneme: e.g. sh, ay, ch Blending words into phonemes for reading, e.g. ship Blending words into phonemes for reading, e.g. ship Segmenting words into phonemes for spelling: sh-i-p Segmenting words into phonemes for spelling: sh-i-p

Letters and Sounds At BHVC we teach phonics using a scheme called Letters and Sounds. It is a systematic programme for teaching phonics, reading and writing skills. At BHVC we teach phonics using a scheme called Letters and Sounds. It is a systematic programme for teaching phonics, reading and writing skills. It starts in the Foundation Phase and progresses through Key Stage 1 and 2. It starts in the Foundation Phase and progresses through Key Stage 1 and 2.

Who and how often? Children in the Foundation Phase are taught 20 minutes of letters and sounds per day. Children in the Foundation Phase are taught 20 minutes of letters and sounds per day. Children in KS2 who need reinforcement of phonics are currently also spending some time each day on letters and sounds. Children in KS2 who need reinforcement of phonics are currently also spending some time each day on letters and sounds.

Phases Phonics and reading skills are taught in six distinct phases. Phonics and reading skills are taught in six distinct phases. These phases are set out in the letters and sounds document. These phases are set out in the letters and sounds document. Phases 1-6 Phases 1-6

Phases Phase 1: Children learn rhymes, keep rhythms and start to relate letter sounds to words. e.g. b for bag. Phase 2 Children learn initial letter sounds and build 3 letter words Phase 3 Children learn all 44 phonemes and blend sounds to read words Phase 4 Children blend consonants together to read difficult words e.g. blue, grab. Phase 5 Children learn how to spell letter sounds in more than one way e.g. rain, day, make. Phase 6 Children learn how to spell word specific spellings. E.g. turned, beautiful, shopping

Letters and Sounds at BHVC Recall: Revisit & review previous sound and word building Teach: a new phonic skill Practise: the new skill Apply in different situations. E.g. reading in a sentence, writing the word in a sentence, using skills in other words.

How you can help at home Pronunciation Pronunciation Reading-little and often Reading-little and often Encourage sounding out Encourage sounding out Praise Praise Tricky words Tricky words F-a-b j-o-b!

Useful websites Alternatively type in ‘Letters and Sounds’ to Google or any search engine and you’ll find lots of ideas and activities, so it’s over to you to have fun with phonics! Alternatively type in ‘Letters and Sounds’ to Google or any search engine and you’ll find lots of ideas and activities, so it’s over to you to have fun with phonics!