1. Reading and Phonics Meeting
Tuesday 3rd October 2017

2. The aims of the meeting
To give an overview of the way we teach reading and phonics.
To give examples of some ways you can help your child with learning and development at home.
To give you, the parents, an opportunity to ask questions.

3. Reading
Early Learning Goal by end of Reception Year:
Children read and understand simple sentences. They use their phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. They also read some common irregular words. They demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read.

4. Reading How we work towards this goal:
Initial and continuous assessments. How they hold a book, turning pages, letter sound recognition, whole word recognition, understanding of story.
Accessing the right level of reading. Colour Bands – Children working through stages at their own pace.
Key Word Books. Moving children on when they are secure with the given words – i.e reading them as whole words.
Confidence Building – lots of patience and praise. Make it fun!
School – Home communication. Reading record books. Making it manageable. Little and often, 5 mins daily.

5. Reading What we do in School: Daily Phonics. Covered further on.
Model Reading. Big Books, daily stories, use print in the environment.
Key Words. Teach whole words as part of daily phonics. Assess these routinely.
Guided Reading– Children reading in similar ability groups
Individual Reading – Your child will read with a teacher or qualified teaching assistant each week.
Encouraging Independent Reading – Book basket, reading corner, own writing and others’ writing.

6. Reading What you can do at home:
Using Pictures - looking at and discussing the pictures before tackling the sentences.
Taking Turns – To make it less daunting for your child.
Giving Time – Be patient, sometimes your child will get it after a little thinking time. But, step in and help if they are really struggling.
Pointing – Use fingers to track the words.
Choose the right time – when they are not too tired.
Display key words in your house.

7. Phonics What is phonics?
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read skillfully. They are taught how to:
Recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes.
Identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make – such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’.
Blend those sounds together from left to right to make a word.
Children can then use this knowledge to ‘decode’ new words that they see or hear.

8. Phonics How we teach phonics in school?
Phonics is taught daily, in short, pacey sessions
Revisit previous sounds/words, teach a new sound/word, Practise using the sounds/word, Apply it through a reading or writing activity.
Children are then encouraged to use what they know in their own worktime and in focused activities.
Correct Pronunciation Example ‘mmmm’ not ‘muh’
Correct sounding/Blending Pronunciation. C-a-t cat
Sh-ee-p sheep

9. Phonics How you can help at home.
Read the weekly newsletter to see what sounds they are learning.
Encourage your child to find these sounds in their reading books, around the home or local environment.
Practise pushing sounds together with your child. E.g d-o-g dog, f-i-sh, fish
Encourage your child to use their sounds to write – shopping lists, pretend menus, cards, invitations, etc.

10. Thank you for coming.
Any Questions?