PGCE Lecture Middlesex University Systematic Synthetic Phonics

CONTEXT The Rose Report: independent review of the teaching of early reading 2006 2

High quality phonic work as the first approach to reading. Year 1 lecture introduction to the teaching of phonics Recommendations High quality phonic work as the first approach to reading. To foster speaking and listening skills. To blend in order left to right through HFW – discuss the ‘tricky bit’ the word. There are statutory amendments to the National Curriculum in En2 reading and the EYFS Lorraine Singh November 2007 3

What is synthetic phonics? It refers to an approach to the teaching of reading in which the phonemes (sounds) associated with particular graphemes (letters) are pronounced in isolation and blended together (synthesised).

What is systematic phonics instruction? ‘Phonics instruction is systematic when all the major grapheme-phoneme correspondences are taught and they are covered in a clearly defined sequence.’ Review into the Teaching of Early Reading (2006: 17)

Year 1 lecture introduction to the teaching of phonics Lorraine Singh November 2007 6

Rose report : key recommendations The teaching of early reading should be contextualised within a broad and rich multi-sensory language curriculum, i.e: Varied opportunities to listen and talk Quality reading experiences, i.e. being read to, sharing or independently reading from a range of reading materials, e.g. poetry, narrative, non-fiction. A holistic view of learning that makes sensible links between subject areas. Appropriate use of ICT.

Background Rose Review in the Teaching of Early Reading 2006 Changes in the statutory requirements of National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage to reflect new focus on phonics Letters and Sounds resources sent to all schools 2007 Emphasis on systematic phonics teaching ( synthetic regarded as best approach) Increasing attention on systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) as main teaching approach in early reading 2010 Government’s decision on a phonics screening check for 6 year olds 2010 ( pilot 2011 and rolled out 2012) Change in criteria for phonics programmes 2010 now includes ‘decodable books’ New standards for Teachers (2012) includes ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of SSP.

The English language has 44 phonemes and 26 letters A phoneme can be represented by one or more letters. E.g. t kn igh The same phoneme can be represented (spelt) in more than one way. E.g. rain may lake The same grapheme may represent more than one phoneme .E.g mean deaf field tried

Phonemes are represented Alphabetic code Phonemes are represented by graphemes The skill of Blending (synthesising) READING The skill of Segmenting SPELLING C a t = cat Cat = c a t Blending and segmenting are reversible processes

The four principles of SSP Learn grapheme/phoneme (letter/ sound) correspondences (the alphabetic code) in a clearly defined, incremental sequence (GPC); Apply the highly important skill of blending (synthesising) phonemes, in order, all through a word to read it; Apply the skills of segmenting words into their constituent phonemes to spell; Blending and segmenting are reversible processes. 11

A segmenting activity Segment these words into their constituent phonemes: shelf dress thing boat eight Answers on next slide 12

Segmenting shelf sh e l f dress d r ss thing th i ng boat b oa t eight WORD PHONEMES shelf sh e l f dress d r ss thing th i ng boat b oa t eight eigh The grid shows the constituent phonemes. Misunderstandings around segmenting can lead to incorrect teaching. 13

Phonic Terminology These terms can be used with children Phoneme Grapheme Digraph Split digraph Trigraph Blending Segmenting

Support Resources UniHub University resources ( Rose Review, planning templates and examples, Letters and Sounds Handbook, observation prompts) Websites ( National Archives, ) Software ( Multimedia, Splash)

A phonics quiz What is a phoneme? What is oral blending? What is a digraph/ Give an example. How many ways to spell the /ie/ sound? What is a grapheme? What is a tricky word What do the letters GPC mean?

Phonic Resource Any programme that meets the criteria for high quality phonic work: Jolly Phonics Read Write Inc

Phase 1 in Letters and Sounds Summary Distinguishing between different sounds e.g. environment, instruments, body percussion, speech. Awareness and experimenting with speech sounds and words e.g. alliteration and rhymes. Beginning to orally blend and segment phonemes.

Phase 2 in Letters and Sounds Summary The start of systematic phonic work. Introduction of the GPCs (grapheme-phoneme correspondences) 19 letters in 5 sets over 6 weeks 1st set is s a t p Teaching a letter – hear it , say it and write it. Blending and segmenting VC and CVC words. Read high frequency words HFW Also introduce two syllable words and captions

Phonological awareness