Phonics in Year R
What is Phonics? Phonics teaches children to read quickly and skillfully. Children are taught how to read by segmenting and blending letter sounds (phonemes) Children can then use this knowledge to de-code new words that they hear or see.
Why teach phonics? Phonics teaching provides a reading foundation for every child that is based on the letters and sounds of the alphabet. Once a child learns the 26 letters with their 44 sounds and 70 common spellings, they have the tools they need to read words-- any words -- whether they have ever seen them or not.
Why do we use Sounds~Write? Sounds-Write is a quality first phonics programme acknowledged by the Department for Education as meeting all its criteria for effective phonics teaching The programme is endorsed by OFSTED for offering a thorough grounding in phonics. It delivers a multi-sensory and highly successful approach to the teaching of reading, spelling and writing
What are we trying to teach? We want the children to learn that letters are symbols for sounds, so that when they see the letters < m > < a > < t >, they say and hear /m/ /a/ /t/ 'mat'. To begin with, we shall work with 2- and 3-sound words. Your child needs to say the sounds and listen to hear what the word is. For this reason, sounds need to be said very precisely. For example, when we see the letter <m>, we say /m/ and not 'muh'. Of course, some sounds are much more difficult to say without adding a bit of an 'uh', but, with practice, it can be done. When your child has said all the sounds in a word and then read the word, ask them to write the word
Sounds~Write A guide for parents of children in Reception We will be introducing these sounds in the following order: Unit 1: a, i, m, s, t Unit 2: n, o, p Unit 3: b, c, g, h Unit 4: d, f, v, e Unit 5: k, l, r, u Unit 6: j, w, z Unit 7: x, y, ff, ll, ss As the children master the sounds, we will begin a new unit and build the new sounds into what we have already learnt.
Sounds~Write Initial Code Units 1-7 cover the 26 letters of the alphabet and the double consonants. Children segment and blend words containing three sounds. Units 8 and 9 teach four sound words. Unit 10 teaches five sound words. Unit 11 teaches the graphemes th, wh,sh, ch and q(u)
Reading at home Children start by bringing home word lists and small letter cards to build words at home. As children begin to blend confidently, they will bring home phonic reading books. We use the Dandelion Reading Scheme, which complements the Sounds~Write Units.
Rubbish or treasure words Children are introduced to made up words to check if they can segment and blend accurately. Made up words are rubbish words and real words are treasure. Examples of made up words are included in the back of the Dandelion Scheme reading books that the children bring home. Phonicsplay.co.uk has an online version of the game which the children are familiar with. It is a free site; no need to subscribe.
How you can help your child learn to read Playing games with the sounds in words When reading a book, talk about the story, discuss the characters and predict what is going to happen next. Read daily with your child. Ask them to find a given sound or word on each page in their reading book. Play phonics games online.
Learning sounds through play 'What does it start with?' Box You will need: A box Some objects beginning with a different sound Corresponding letter cards Ask your child to choose an object from the box, to think what its first sound is (remember it is the sound you are looking for rather than the alphabet name) and then to match the object with the relevant card.
Learning sounds through play I-Spy For small children the usual way of playing that starts 'I spy with my little eye something that begins with...' can be too difficult. Make this easier by providing a clue. 'I spy with my little eye something that barks and begins with d'. Remember to say the sound, not the letter name!
Learning sounds through play Making Sentences Ask your child to read their Dandelion reading book to you so that he/she is familiar with the story. Then take the first sentence from the book and write it on a strip of paper. Leave a space in between each word. Then cut up the sentence into the individual words. For example: cat on mat A the Ask your child to make the sentence, A cat on the mat" using the individual words.
How you can help raise phonic awareness Read daily with your child. Be a sound detective ask children to find sounds in their reading book for example words with ee Practice reading rubbish or treasure word lists sent home weekly. Look for sounds in the environment, for example, when shopping or reading labels. Play phonics games available on line.
Useful sites www.phonicsplay.co.uk http://primarytools.co.uk/pages/phonics.html Pippop phonics screening app Sounds~Write phonics app
Questions If you have any questions about what you should be doing just ask your child s teacher. Good luck and enjoy working together with your child.
Thank You