The government are strongly promoting the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early literacy skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.
At D’Eyncourt School we use a synthetic phonics programme called 'Read Write Inc' produced by Ruth Miskin. Read Write Inc is a method of learning centred around letter sounds and phonics, blending them together to read and write words and using these learnt sounds in their reading and writing.
Using Read Write Inc the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read.
It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put their energy into composing what they write.
The children are assessed and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a teacher or teaching assistant on the Read Write Inc programme. At the end of each term the children will be assessed again and put into new groups. In addition to the Read Write Inc programme the children will also be working on writing skills in their classes with their own class teacher.
When using Read Write Inc to READ the children will:
learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk)
read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out
show that they comprehend the stories by answering ‘Find It’ and ‘Prove It’ discussion questions
When using Read Write Inc to WRITE the children will:
learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent
the 44 sounds
learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes
(Fred fingers)
learn to write simple then more complex sentences
compose stories based on picture strips
compose a range of texts using discussion prompts
When using Read Write Inc the children will also work in PAIRS:
to answer questions
to practise every activity
to take turns talking to each other
to give positive praise to each other
Help your child learn to read words by sound-blending (Fred talk) e.g. c-a-t = cat
Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sound sets
(shown further down the page).
Help children to say the pure sounds, as quickly as they can, and then to blend the sounds together to say the whole word.
Spellings will be given out and tested on a Thursday in their Read Write Inc group.
As we are running the programme at 9:05 it is vitally important the children are punctual each day.
We still intend to keep our home reading scheme although the children may not be heard read their book in school as often as in the past. We will aim to hear children read their Oxford Reading Tree/New way/free reader reading book at least twice a week in school. Please practise reading your child’s reading book every night if possible even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes.
Read a variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, rhymes…). Discuss the different features of different books. Talk about the books and other reading materials that you have shared.
Explain the meaning of new words. Most importantly though, show the fun that can be gained by listening to stories and reading a range of texts.e.g. cereal packets, shopping lists, road signs, web pages, magazines, newspapers etc
For more information and ideas for supporting your child visit the
RWI website click link button
There is also a website www.oxfordowl.co.uk
which is free and will help your child learn to read and love to read. There are over 100 free ebooks to enjoy with your child and there is a phonic guide which will help you how to say the
sounds correctly.
The sounds taught are “pure sounds” and may be different to how you would say them or how you were taught. To avoid confusing the children the Oxford Owl website or the RWI website does go through the correct pronunciation of each sound.
Click the link
button above
As part of the children’s Read Write Inc lessons we have introduced some new classroom management techniques. These are silent signals when demonstrated by the teacher or teaching assistant the children respond to them in the correct way. These silent signals used in lessons ensure quick, effective management within the classroom. All children who are in the Read Write Inc groups will be taught these signals which will ensure consistency across school.
When a teacher silently holds a hand in the air you should raise your hand in response and stop what you are doing and wait silently. You should check that others have seen the signal and gently tap them on the
arm if necessary.
When the teacher runs their hand down their opposite arm, it is a signal for you to sit side-by-side ready to talk to your partner.
My turn: When the teacher touches their chest with the palm of their hands it is the teachers turn to speak.
Your turn: When the teacher turns their hands open palms to you - it is your turn to speak.
If the teacher holds up one finger – Stand up quietly.
If the teacher holds up two fingers – Prepare to move to where instructed.
If the teacher holds up three fingers – Sit down silently ready to work.
When the teacher points to either side of their eyes you should fix your eyes on their eyes like magnets, stop talking and be ready for the teacher to speak.
1, 2, 3… Allows the teacher to give you quick instructions to move from one place to another.
My mum went to market
Invite your child to play the game with you. ‘My mother went to market and she bought …’ She has to buy things beginning with the same sound and the list of things she buys grows and grows. e.g - a sandwich, a sock, a sausage.
Read a familiar book with your child. After you have read it, can you remember what happened? Discuss together what happened at the beginning of the story? In the middle?
At the end?
Could you change a part of the story to make a new version?
The story could be retold by using
puppets or soft toys.
Write some of the words your child is covering at school onto a piece of paper.
Ask your child to read each word in Fred Talk and then read the whole word.
Don’t worry if they are struggling at first with their sounds and words, they will get there in their own time.
If you have the time ( I know it is very precious!) I would urge you to try and read stories to your child before they go to bed to increase their vocabulary knowledge and encourage them to enjoy the pleasure of a good story.
Books don’t have to be expensive “The Book People” online have some fantastic cheap books to buy. The local library is also a wonderful place to get lots of different books and is a wonderful experience for your child to
choose their own stories.
