Reading and Phonics

Our phonics lessons introduce a new sound each day and we practise saying the sound accurately and writing the letter with the correct formation. We learn new words which have the sounds in them through sound talk and reading, but best of all we have a wonderful story to link it all together at the end of the day. 

Once we have covered the first set of sounds, we will send home a reading book for your child (online or hard copy). It is really important that the books are not rushed and the children really understand the words they are reading in relation to the picture and at the end they have an understanding of what happened in the story.

Reading Techniques We Use

• Ask your child to look at the front cover first explaining what they can see and predicting what this story could be about.

• Look at the picture on each page first so the children can think about what is happening.

• Ask your child to use their finger to point out each sound as they say it individually and then encourage them to blend the sounds together to say the word.

• It is important that you model pure speech sounds for the children. Please refresh your knowledge using this link: https://youtu.be/UCI2mu7URBc

• Once you have read the full sentence on the page by slowly blending, re-read each word as a full word i.e. repeat the sentence.

• At the end of the story talk about happened, discuss if this was the same as your child predicted at the start.

It is much better to have a positive experience and only read a few pages rather than this becoming a stressful experience trying to finish the whole story. It should be enjoyable for your child and you.

Harder to read and spell words (HRS Words)

As well as learning individual sounds the children will learn HRS words. These are words that cannot be decoded by the children as they may have sounds that they have not yest been taught. 

What can you do to support your child at home?

• Read at home with your child. Little and often is best. Talk about the pictures, how characters are feeling, make predictions etc.
• Practise the sounds we have been learning that week (noted in weekly update).
• Learn the Jolly Phonics songs and actions together.
• Practise forming each letter correctly (see letter formation sheet attached below).
• Practise recall of the high frequency words when provided.
• In the car, play games. I can see a sh-ee-p. What can I see?
• Use magnetic letters on the fridge to build words.
• Play snap with tricky words.
• Continue reading to your child, so they can hear and discuss a wide range of books.
• Make sure the characters in your stories have expressions and fun voices!

LINKS FOR AT HOME

Phonics Play - https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/

Oxford Reading Tree - https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/library-page?view=details&...

The Book Trust - https://www.booktrust.org.uk/

Stories read by authors - https://www.weareteachers.com/virtual-author-activities/