Spalding Primary School Read Write Inc

Aims of the Meeting Introduce our synthetic phonics programme Explain the importance of ‘pure sounds’ and to help you pronounce sounds Opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the Read Write Inc programme Explain what you can do to help at home

Letter from Ruth Miskin Dear Parents We all know that reading opens the door to all learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns the more a child wants to find out. It is, therefore, vital that your child finds learning to read and write a rewarding and successful experience. Best Wishes Ruth Miskin

Who is RWI for? The read Write Inc programme is for primary school children learning to read. It enables every child to become a confident and fluent reader at the first attempt. Every child who completes RWI learns to read fluently and confidently. Using the RWI method: Children in the early years learn to read confidently and fluently. Older children with reading difficulties make fast progress. Children with specific learning difficulties learn to read. The RWI programme is also used with great success to support children of all ages who have been identified as dyslexic. The aim is to get the children off the programme as quickly as possible.

Why does it work? The systematic and lively programmed is organised by an in-school manager All staff are trained together by one the official trainers The children read and write for an hour each day, grouped according to their reading level. ( Two 20 minute sessions for reception children.) Children do not struggle because the work is too difficult or get bored because the work is too easy. A few children who need extra support to maintain progress work with a trained Teaching Assistant for 10 minutes in the afternoons to ensure that they do not fall behind their peers.

How and what do the children learn? READING The children: Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts Learn to read words using sound blending Read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out Show that they comprehend the stories by answering ‘Find It’ and ‘Prove It’ discussion questions WRITING The children: Learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds using formation rhymes. Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes Write simple sentences TALKING Children are assessed so they work with children at the same level. This allows them to take full part in all lessons. They work in pairs so that they: Answer every question Practise every activity with their partner Take turns in talking to each other.

RWI programme progression Children are taught ‘Speed Sounds Set 1 in sets of 5 over a week After learning 5 sounds the children will bring them home along with green words – words containing the sounds they have learnt which they can sound out. After learning set 1 sounds and being able to sound out simple CVC words children move onto ‘Ditties’ Ditties are very short simple texts that children can read confidently. Children are then taught ‘Speed Sounds Set 2’ Then they move onto RWI story books which contain a mixture of words they can sound out and also tricky red words which they need to read on sight. The children write in their ‘Get Writing’ books which match the story they are reading. Children then move onto ‘Speed Sounds Set 3’ and through the book levels.

What level is my child working at? RWI has a colour coded system of books. Levels Set 1 Sounds Red Level (Ditties) Green Level Purple Level Pink Level Orange Level Yellow Level Blue Level Grey Level We will be sticking the grid into the children’s reading diaries. This will show which level they are working at. It will be hi-lighted to show whether they have started a level or completed a level. Name: LevelStartedCompleted Set 1 Sounds Red Green Purple Pink Orange Yellow Blue Grey

Fred Frog Fred can only say pure sounds – (oxford owl clip)(oxford owl clip) Used to help the children sound blend Put the sounds on their fingers Blend with the blending finger on the other hand Encourage children to use their Fred finger Bouncy Sounds and Stretchy Sounds - Handout

Praise Praise is one of five main principles of the programme. We praise the children at every opportunity. Below are some of the examples that we use with the children. Thumbs up + ‘Go Guys!’ High Five Marshmallow Clap Fireworks and whooshes Microwaves Your child will receive certificates for a certain number of books completed.

Power Words Children need to build up a large verbal vocabulary bank in order to develop and extend their reading and writing. Examples: terrified(scared) grubby(dirty) hideous(horrible) delicious(tasty) gorgeous(pretty) massive(big) grumpy (mad) fabulous(nice) Think about how you can use descriptive words when you are talking to and with your children.

Reading at Spalding Primary School RWI suggests that reading books from a scheme are not given until children have learnt speed sounds set 1. Ditties and then Phonic based books go home so that the children can sound blend to read – confidence and self esteem are really important at this stage especially. When we feel the children are confident enough we will move them onto the Oxford Reading Tree scheme. All our books are ‘book banded’. You must ignore the stage on the back of the book as we use a colour system. We hear children read individual and in groups called guided reading groups. The RWI programme means that all the children read every day at school once they are reading the first set of story books.

Can you help at home? Oxford Owl Website – Fred Fingers, Praise and Power Words Can you help at school? We are currently looking for parents and grandparents to come into school and listen to our children read or read a story to your child’s class at the end of the day. If you can help please see me or contact the school office.

And Finally... R.M.L Reading Means Learning Thank you for coming.