Reading and Phonics
Phonics
At Greenland Community Primary school reading is taught using synthetic phonics. In September 2019 we adopted the Read, Write Inc programme in school to help our children learn to read. The major aspect of RWI’s mantra/mission statement is to achieve the goal of every child being able to read by the time they are six years of age. All teachers and TAs have recently been trained.
We use this programme for:
- Pupils in Year R – Year 2
- Any pupils in Years 3 and 4 who need to catch up
In Read Write Inc Phonics pupils:
- Decode letter – sound correspondences quickly and effortlessly, using their phonic knowledge and skills
- Read common exception words on sight
- Understand what they read
- Read aloud with fluency and expression
We group children homogeneously and assess and re- group each half term. Children have daily speed sound lessons followed by closely matched reading and writing activities. Pupils have frequent practice in reading common exception words. We make sure that pupils books are closely matched to their increasing knowledge of phonics and the common exception words. This is so that, early on, they experience success and gain confidence that they are readers. Re – reading and discussing these books with the teacher supports their increasing fluent decoding.
A guide for parents
Please click on the link below to watch the short videos to gain an understanding of the RWI programme.
Phonics
Phonics teaching continues in Year 1 and at the end of this year, the Phonics Screening Test (introduced by Department for Education in 2011) takes place to assess achievement in Phonics.
KS1 Reading
In addition to RWI Children at KS1 read to their teacher or teaching assistant on a weekly basis during one to one sessions. This involves small groups of children, working at the same level, reading with the class teacher and discussing what they have read.
Daily story time
Children listen to and discuss stories, poems and non- fiction books at the end of the school day. These often link with their current learning project.
KS1 Home Reading
We expect all children to read at home on a regular basis. Children take home a range of books that match their phonic ability . We have a selection of free choice readers, which children can take home to share.
Helping Your Child With Reading
A useful website for parents to help their child with reading is Oxford Owl. Help your child’s reading with free tips and free ebooks!
