Community Primary School

01748 832292 admin@le-cateau.n-yorks.sch.uk

01748 832292

Our Curriculum and Values

The teaching of Phonics & Early Reading

Read Write Inc- Our Phonics Scheme                                                                        

The government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early literacy skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter groups into sounds that are then blended together into a word.

Here at Le Cateau, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning based upon phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing. Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who can read more challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out.

 

Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so they can put all their energy into composing what they write. The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant. In addition to the RWI, children will also be working on writing skills in their classes with their own teacher.

Miss Bell and Miss Ewbank are the Senior Leaders overseeing Read Write Inc at Le Cateau. If you have any questions or need any guidance on the programme, please pop into the school office or give them a call and they will arrange an appointment for you.

 

 

Reading

When using RWI to read the children will:

Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple 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'.

Writing

When using RWI to write the children will:

Learn to write the letter/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 story strips.

Talking

When using RWI the children will also work in pairs:

To answer questions.
To practise every activity.
To take turns talking and listening to each other.
To give positive praise to each other.

 

 

Blending

Help your child learn to read words by sounding-blending (Fred talk) eg. c-a-t = cat, sh-o-p = shop. Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sounds set. Help your child to say the pure sounds ('m' not 'muh', 's' not 'suh' etc.) as quickly as they can, and then blend the sounds together to say the whole word.

Reading Books Sent Home

Children in Reception who are learning speed sound set one and are not blending fluently will bring home sound sheets to practise. Once children can blend fluently they will bring home a red Ditty book. Children on Green level to Orange level will bring home a RWI book and these will be changed every 3/4 days.

Children on Yellow level to Grey level will also bring home a RWI book as these books are lengthier, these will be changed once a week.  Children will also bring home a RWI book bag book linked to the storybook and a library book. 

Read Write Inc Books:  Please encourage your child to read though the speed sounds page first, then the green and red words page and then check your child understands the meaning of words on the vocabulary check page, before they start reading the book. Your child will have read this book at least three times before they bring it home. They should be able to read this book with fluency and expression by the time they bring it home and they should have a good comprehension of what the book is about. At the back of the book are find it/prove it questions for you to do with your child.

Supporting your child at home;

The links below provide further information and supporting materials and videos that you can use to help your child.