Phonics
Opening the Door to the World of Reading!
Phonics describes decoding words by recognising the symbols (graphemes) we use to represent sounds (phonemes) Sometimes several letters can make just one sound (ar, igh,) and sometimes a letter can make more than one sound (think how many different sounds can be represented by 'a'!
Phonics teaching develops the attitudes and abilities and rules which produce skillful and adaptable speakers, readers and writers. We teach Phonics at The Wyche throughout reception and Key Stage 1, run interventions for gaps in knowledge in Key Stage 2 and it continues to be a useful strategy for spelling and reading right into Year 6.
Two simple habits which will help your child
When you practice phonics or help your child read a decodable book:
1 Say the sound the letter makes, not its name ('mmm', not 'Em').
2 Don't add any extra voicing to the sound (e.g. for M say mmmm, not 'muh')
(This video link will help Phonics: How To Pronounce Pure Sounds)
There is lots more information on the sites below:
The Teaching for Phonics
We follow the Essential Letters & Sounds progression and use their excellent resources and assessment materials to teach phonics. If you are interested yo can look at materials online or come and talk to Mrs Charles a member of Hedgehog and Fox class about it.
Mastering decoding skills through daily phonics teaching is a key priority in our mixed classes of Reception, Year 1 and 2. As well as a rigorous approach to independent reading, the magic of books and stories is shared to encourage children to become life long readers.
Decoding
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Phonics is taught using the Government accredited phonics programme – ELS.
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Early decoding and phonics is given a high priority and taught consistently well in school.
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Daily ELS phonics sessions are delivered in individual year groups for Year R and Year 1. Speaking, listening and spelling activities are matched to their developing needs.
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Same day, keep up interventions secure maximum progress of all children and catch up interventions are run as informed by assessment.
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Further decoding intervention is provided as required for children in year 2.
The Phonics Screening Check
In Year 1 the government ask children to sit a short screening check in school. This takes about 10 minutes per child and is done by your child's teacher in a friendly and inclusive way. It usually happens in the second week of June. You will be told in the summer term report how many words out of 40 your child was able to read. The threshold has been 32 for many year and children who do not manage to read 32 words in total will be given support throughout the rest of Key Stage 1 to ensure they close the gap and catch up by the end of Year 2 when they will retake the check.
You can find out more about the Phonics Screening Check by clicking the picture (left). This will show you what the 2018 check looked like, and help you to familiarise your child with the process, should you wish to do so. It's nice if these materials are made friendly and familiar by being used at home. We think the little monsters are good fun too.
If you have any questions or concerns about teaching phonics or how you can help your child don't hesitate to ask your class teacher or Mr Murphy.