Phonics

Here at Our Lady of Lourdes phonics is taught daily to all children in Reception and Key Stage One. We use the Read Write Inc programme which helps children to learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. Lively phonics books are closely matched to children's knowledge of phonics and 'tricky' words and, as children re-read the stories, their fluency increases.

What is phonics?

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skilfully. They are taught how to:

* Recognise the sounds that individual letters make

* Identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make-such as 'sh' or 'oo'

* Blend these sounds together from left to right to make a word

Children can then use this knowledge to 'decode' new words that they hear or see. This is the first important step in learning to read.

The children are taught to read words by blending, which means pushing all the sounds together to make a word. The children are taught to spell words by segmenting, which means sounding out words and writing down the sounds they can hear.

By the end of Reception children are expected to be secure in Set One and Two. By the end of Year One children are expected to be secure in Set Three. When finishing Key Stage One, most children should be moving away from learning sounds, including alternative spellings and focus on spelling rules and patterns.

Why phonics?

Research shows that when phonics is taught in a structured way-starting with the easiest sounds and progressing to the most complex-it is the most effective way of teaching young children to read. It is particularly helpful for children aged 5 to 7 years old. Almost all children who receive good teaching of phonics will learn the skills that they need to tackle new words. Children can go on to read any kind of text fluently and confidently, and read for enjoyment. (Department for Education)

Articulation of Phonemes:

Beneath you will find videos for the articulation of phonemes. It is important that children become confident in each set before moving on. They also need to re-visit previous sets to keep the sounds fresh in their mind. Watch the videos and practise the sounds with me...

Extra challenge:

1. Choose a sound and write some words which include that sound.

E.g. a -e (make, cake, wake)

2. Then write a sentence, including the words.

E.g. I would like to make a cake.

Don't forget to use a capital letter at the start of your sentence and a full stop at the end.

Happy phonics!

Set 1 Sounds

Set 2 Sounds

Set 3 Sounds

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

At the end of Year One all the children in the country take a test called a Phonics Screening. They have to read 40 real and nonsense words. We call the nonsense words ‘Alien words’ and the children practice reading them every day.

If you want to see an example of a previous years test then click on the 2018 example below.

2018 Phonics Screening Check.pdf

Phonics Meeting for Parents

The Reception and Year One class teacher hold a Phonics meeting for parents every year in Term 2. The presentation and handout is attached below. The parents are then invited into the classroom to watch their child participate in a phonics lesson.

Supporting your child:

Listen to your child read frequently so that they can practise applying their phonics knowledge.
Read stories to your child to develop their listening skills and imagination. Reading to your child will also expose them to new vocabulary, information and language patterns.
Encourage your child to 'sound out' when reading or writing. Focusing particularly on spotting more unusual sound patterns. For example, the 'i-e' split diagraph in spine and the 'igh' triagraph in night.
Help your child to read and spell the common exception words for their year group. These are words which are not easily decodable. (Spellings attached below)
Encourage your child to use a sound mat when they are writing so that they can find the sound they need. (Sound mats attached below)
Attend the Phonics Meeting for Parents in Term 2 and come into school to see your child participate in a phonics lesson.
Play phonics games with your child. Have a look at the websites and resources below.

Useful websites:

Here are some useful websites to help you support your child with their early reading and writing. If you are unsure of which set your child is working within then please speak to your child’s class teacher.