Phonics At Gilbert Scott Primary we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a great start with their reading and writing. RWI is a method of learning based on letter sounds, and we use it to aid children in their early reading and writing. Here is a photo of a reception child orally blending with Fred (the frog). This was a child initiated, independent activity. The dialogue that went with this was from the child was, "Fred says c, a, t. What does that make? Yes, that makes cat, well done !" Using RWI, children learn to read quickly and accurately. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write. When using RWI to read the children will: learn that sounds are represented by written letters learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts Children read a book daily, which is linked to the sounds they are learning. learn how to blend sounds learn to read words using ‘Fred’ Talk – a frog who can only speak in sounds!
Transcript
Phonics
At Gilbert Scott Primary we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a great start with their reading and writing. RWI is a method of learning based on letter sounds, and we use it to aid children in their early reading and writing.
Here is a photo of a reception child orally blending with Fred (the frog). This was a child initiated, independent activity. The dialogue that went with this was from the child was,
"Fred says c, a, t. What does that make? Yes, that makes cat, well done !"
Using RWI, children learn to read quickly and accurately. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.
When using RWI to read the children will:
learn that sounds are represented by written letters
learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
Children read a book daily, which is linked to the sounds they are learning.
learn how to blend sounds
learn to read words using ‘Fred’ Talk – a frog who can only speak in sounds!
read lively stories and non-fiction books featuring words they have learned to 'Fred talk'
learn to read fluently using their 'talking voice.'
show that they understand the stories by answering questions,
When using RWI to write the children will:
learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent 44 sounds.
learn to write words by saying the sounds in ‘Fred Talk’
write simple sentences
Most children will complete the phonics programme by end of Autumn term in Year 2, and will begin a new programme called 'Speedy Readers.' The focus of this programme is to build on their decoding skills and develop speed, fluency and urgency for reading through fast-paced activities, allowing their mind to be free to focus on understanding what they read (see 'Reading' section below).
Children across the school who need phonic support continue to receive this daily until they have completed the RWI programme and are confident in decoding.
Click on this link: https://ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/ to find out more about Read Write Inc, including a video tutorial on how to pronounce the sounds.
Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or a duty. It should be presented as a gift.”
Kate DiCamillo
At Gilbert Scott, we believe that teaching children to read is the best gift that we are able to provide
our children with. Pupils who develop a love of reading perform significantly better than their peers
due to their increased access to vocabulary, understanding of different genres and styles as well as
developing a pace to their learning which ensures that they are able to grasp and understand
concepts quicker than their peer. Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will
become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who
reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will
want to find out.
From Year One we teach whole class guided reading, which is linked to writing. From whole class
reading the children are exposed through discussion to deeper thinking about the text and
understanding what they have read. We achieve this by asking them questions that require them to
explain, retrieve, interpret or choose appropriate answers, relating to the text.
Children in Reception carry out elements of whole class guided reading, but are still heard to read
individually, as well as reading in phonics. A selection of children from each class read individually or
in small groups on a weekly basis.
Focus Texts
In Key Stage 1, books are chosen around the topic which leads into reading and writing. Children take home their phonics book which they keep for a week alongside a school library book.
In Key Stage 2 (Year 3-6) each half term, each class will have a ‘focus text’ which they will be sharing with their classes. Much of the literacy work will focus around this text and provide children with ideas and vocabulary which will stretch them during lessons. We believe that it is always helpful for children to have a copy of the text in front of them so that they are able to follow the text as the teacher or pupils read aloud.
All our writing is linked to a text. We believe it is very important to pick out vocabulary and structures from a text and incorporate them into a piece of writing. We ensure that we teach a variety of genres. Teachers plan a sequence of lessons that leads towards an end point – which is a particular type of writing. E.g. letter, balanced argument, narrative, instructions.
Example of work from EYFS
An example of writing captions – making a milk shake
Example of work from KS1 – Writing narratives linked to the topic of Pirates
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