1. An introduction to our new Zappers system.
Zappers and Phonics
Aims: 1. To show differences between old and new zappers, 2. To give the background and ideas behind each stage of the phonics/ zappers scheme, 3. To explain how best to support your child through the new zappers.
An introduction to our new Zappers system.

2. Why have we changed the system?
To help enable us to meet the high levels of phonic knowledge expected of the children by the end of Year One.
Why have we changed the system?

3. What has changed? Old Zappers New Zappers
Based on learning to read ‘tricky’ words then to spell ‘tricky’ words.
It covered about 200 plus key words listed in the old Literacy strategy for years FS,1&2. (Y4&5 as extension)
School followed the THRASS phonics scheme.
Individualised.
Based on learning to recognise and use letters and their sounds to read and spell words.
It is based on the Government Letters and Sounds scheme which is still in place. It includes a small number of ‘tricky’ words.
School now follows the Letters and Sounds phonics scheme.
Group
What has changed?

4. The Homework Part… (This should take 10 minutes a day at most)
There are two strands – 1. Letter sounds to learn and use 2. A few tricky words to recognise
Play games recognising the sounds and letters they are represented by.
Pick out one sound from the suggested list each day and sound out the relevant words, putting the sounds together to read or write. (eg…)
Look and say the tricky words.
The Homework Part… (This should take 10 minutes a day at most)

5. Don’t Panic. It’s not like a formal test
Don’t Panic! It’s not like a formal test. For the children it will feel like just another one of those letter games we play.
The children are asked to write a small number of words related to the previous week’s homework.
You will be told the score and given an indication of the errors e.g. prak – park yell – yet
EYFS – quiz is a reading quiz – pick the word I have said from the selection on the page.
The Quick Quiz Part…

6. Pronunciation is important
Pronunciation is important. Try and avoid adding an ‘uh’ sound at the end of the word. See school website for video or go to 1s&list=PLb-oAd3OfeVOub3F83Ef0yOCy32VFoOBr&index=2
Education City – linked to from the school website on the VLE. The letters and sounds games and links are superb.
Card with sounds and actions to help remember the sounds. (3 ways of learning) please keep this at home.
That your child wants to learn themselves is key. Praise effort, thinking, working something out and perseverance. Model accuracy. Stick to the time. Only go over if your child leads you. Make it fun and a game.
Things to help at home

7. Overview of Phonics Progression
Phase 1 – Distinguishing sounds
Phase 2 – Common individual sound/letter linkage & 3 letter word building e.g. sat
Phase 3 – Less common individual sound/letter linkage & 2 letters making one sound e.g. z,y, ch
Phase 4 – Extended word building using letters known e.g. drink
Phase 5 – Different ways of making the same sound e.g. ee, ea, e-e, y
Phase 6 – Learning spelling rules
‘Tricky’ words are taught throughout every phase.
Overview of Phonics Progression
Move through phases & repeat phases where necessary.

8. Phase 2 Key things to know
Initial letter sounds taught in an order that allows word building straight away – s,a,t,p
4 Sounds taught per week
Formation and reading of letters is taught
Online games at…
Education City – Year 1 – Letters and Sounds – Phase 2
Phase 2 Key things to know

9. Phase 3 Things to Know Series of individual letters is completed.
Introduces two letters making one sound eg. ch, sh, th, ea
One way of making every phonetic sound is taught in this phase.
Online games at…
Education City – Year 1 – Letters and Sounds – Phase 2
Phase 3 Things to Know

10. There is no zappers homework based on Phase 4
There is no zappers homework based on Phase 4. The children will be working on Phase 4 alongside phases 3 and 5.
Online games at…
Education City – Year 1 – Letters and Sounds – Phase 4 & 5
Phase 4 Things to Know

11. Phase 5 Things to Know Phase 5 has three sections:
Introduction of more two letter sounds e.g. ue, aw, oe
Letters which can have different pronunciations e.g. chart, school, chef
Different letter choices for the same sound; for example: a, ai, a-e, ay
Online games at…
Education City – Year 1 – Letters and Sounds – Phase 4 & 5
Phase 5 Things to Know

12. Phase 6 Things to Know Revises phonics taught previously.
Introduces spelling rules such as :
Prefixes and suffixes e.g. adding ing, ed, est
Use of apostrophes
Some of the zappers’ words are bespoke to the children and are those that they spell wrong in their writing.
Limited online games at…
Phase 6 Things to Know