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Phonics and Early Reading

At Atam Academy we use a synthetic phonics scheme to teach early reading skills called Read, Write, Inc. The programme gets children reading quickly, accurately and fluently.

 Using RWI, 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 all 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 who have all been fully trained to deliver the RWI programme. At the end of each half 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 RWI to READ the children will:

  • Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
  • Learn to say the sound that is represented by each letter or groups of letters (graphemes). In RWI, these are called ‘Speed Sounds’
  • Learn to blend the sounds together in a word to read it, e.g. c-a-t -> cat (synthesising). In RWI, this is called ‘sound-blending’
  • Learn to read words using Fred Talk (Sounding out)
  • Read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
  • Show that they comprehend 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 then more complex ones.
  • Compose a range of texts using discussion prompts

When using RWI 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

 

Where to go for further help?

 

A perfect place to look for some further information is on the Read Write Inc website at:  Parent guide to Read Write Inc. Phonics | Oxford Owl

If you have any concerns about your child’s learning of phonics and reading, please contact your child’s class teacher in the first instance.

 

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

During the Summer term every Year 1 child will take part in the Government Phonics Screening Check.  This is a check which involves children reading 40 decodable words (words that they can 'Fred talk') using their phonic knowledge.  The 40 words will include 20 'nonsense' words to ensure use of phonics as opposed to sight recognition of words.  This is a progress check to identify those children not at the expected level in their reading.  The results will be reported to parents.  Children will be re-checked in Year 2 if they do not reach the expected level.  Any child working below the level of the screening check, may be dis-applied, with the acknowledgment of the parent/carer.