fbpx

Phonics & Reading

Phonics & Reading

Reading

At St Michael’s we believe passionately that reading is a vital life skill and we are committed to ensuring that all children become fluent readers as quickly as possible.

 

Sounds~Write

At St Michael’s, we teach phonics using a phonics programme called Sounds-Write. Sounds-Write is a highly structured, multi-sensory approach to teaching children to read and spell.

Through the programme, children are taught four key concepts:

  • Letters are symbols that represent sounds
  • Sounds can be spelled using 1, 2, 3 or 4 letters
  • The same sound can be spelled in different ways
  • The same spelling can represent different sounds

Every day, children are taught the 3 skills required to learn to read and spell..

  • Blending – the ability to push sounds together to make a word
  • Segmenting – the ability to pull apart the individual sounds in words
  • Phoneme manipulation – the ability to insert sounds into and delete sounds out of words

 

Sounds~Write in Reception

Children in reception begin with the initial code where they practice all three key skills whilst learning the 1:1 sound-spelling correspondences and securing their understanding of key concept 1.

This builds up confidence and phonic knowledge in a truly reversible system, enabling them to read and spell a wide range of words and sentences. At first, children learn to read and write simple one syllable words with a CVC structure eg pig, cat, sit.

Complexity of word structure systematically builds up so that children apply their code knowledge to monosyllabic words with up to six sounds eg strict, scrunch.

 

Sounds~Write Across the School

Once the initial code has been mastered, children continue to practice all three key skills through Key Stage 1 (years 1&2) whilst learning the extended code which explores key concepts 2, 3 and 4. Learning of the extended code is a lifelong process – we all continue to develop our understanding of this code whenever we encounter new words. Whilst learning the extended code, children read and write monosyllabic and polysyllabic words at an age-appropriate level.

Children in Reception and KS1 have a 30 minute phonics lesson every day, in addition to their reading and writing lessons.

More information on the Sounds-Write programme can be found here https://sounds-write.co.uk/support-for-parents-and-carers/ including a free online course aimed at parents.

 

Reading Lessons – KS1

In addition to daily phonics lessons, children in KS1 have regular  reading sessions either in groups or individually focussing on the 3 main skills of reading:

  • Decoding (using their phonics knowledge to sound out unknown words)
  • Comprehension (understanding the text they are reading)
  • Prosody (reading with expression)

By the end of Key Stage 1, our pupils are able to read aloud age-appropriate texts with fluency, speed and expression.

 

Reading Lessons – KS2

Throughout KS2, children are explicitly taught to develop fluency and understanding in a variety of ways including whole class Just Reading texts, fluency lessons and small group work.

 

Books – KS1 

The books that children take home are closely matched to their phonics knowledge and are fully decodable (meaning they can use their phonics knowledge to sound out any unknown words). Repeated practice of these books both at home and school allows children to develop fluency.

In addition to their decodable books, children also take home a high quality book to share with adults and siblings. This exposes children to a range of vocabulary, stories and non-fiction texts beyond their current reading ability.

Sounds-Write Parents Information leaflet can be found on this link.

Latest

Reading at home – KS1

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by helping them to practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A phonics book – This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.  If your child is having to ‘sound out’ lots of words in the book, then it is too difficult for them – please get in touch with your child’s teacher.

A 500 book – Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

The St Michael’s 500 books have been specially selected to represent the very best of children’s literature.  The programme is designed to give children access to a wide range of high quality books with fantastic vocabulary, wonderful illustrations and great stories.  If children read 4 of these books per week from reception to the end of year 2 then they will read all 500.

The 500 book they bring home will be a book that they have chosen for you to enjoy together.  Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Reading at Home – KS2

It is vital that children continue to read and be read to at home throughout KS2.  Sharing books, both fiction and non-fiction helps develop vocabulary, helps to broaden their knowledge of the world and the people in it as well as fostering a love of books and reading.  Please speak to your class teacher if you need any support or advice on how best to read with your child.