How phonics is taught
We use the scheme ‘Sounds Write’ to teach phonics at Redriff. The programme starts in Reception and continues through to year 2.
Nursery
For our Nursery children, who have not yet started the programme, we lay the foundations for successful reading and spelling by ensuring the children have good phonological awareness. To enable this children must have finely tuned listening skills. Practice is provided in a range of contexts such as music, dance, games and story. Children are exposed to rhyme, rhythm and alliteration, attuning their ears to listen carefully to the parts of a word. The children have regular phonics sessions that focus on the objectives listed. These are taught through adult led carpet activities or games, as well as books, rhymes and songs.
Reception
The children have phonics sessions every day where they will be reading and writing the sounds. This is then followed up with focus group activities which allow them to again apply their reading and writing skills.
Year 1 & 2
The children have phonics sessions every day where they will be reading and writing the sounds. They will then apply these skills throughout the day in their other written lessons.
Phonics and Reading
From the start of the year children will start their daily phonics sessions, once they have learnt their first set of sounds books are introduced so children can practise their reading skills. These books enable successful reading because they are able to use the skills of segmenting and blending that they have been learning through their phonics sessions. Children read multiple times throughout the week with their class adults to practice their reading.
Reading at home
Once children have learnt the first three units of the initial code they will start their group reading. After they have had their group reading they will be given books to read at home that match sounds previously taught. This is to ensure children are not picking up misconceptions or just guessing the words. Families are encouraged to read the books multiple times and they may receive a book more than once, practice and overlearning enables fluency.
Children may also take home a ‘reading corner book’. This is a story that can be shared at home that the children have chosen because of their interest in the theme or it may link to their current topic. Adults at home will read this to their child and if the child is very familiar with the book they may join in with parts that they know well. This all helps promote a love for reading.
Additional Support
For more on how families can support at home please follow this link:
https://sounds-write.co.uk/support-for-parents-and-carers/
There is a course you can do to see how phonics is taught whether your child is in Reception on the initial code, or in Year 1 & 2 and on the extended code.
You can also download free e-books which are simple, decodable texts that enable children to practice the skills and code knowledge they are learning.