Phonics
Phonics at Wansbeck
We have just launched an exciting new Phonics programme, Little Wandle. Children in our Foundation 1 class will focus on the foundations for Phonics. We will share high-quality stories and poems with children, learn a range of nursery rhymes and action rhymes and provide the children with activities that develop focused listening and attention, including oral blending. This ensures that children are well prepared to begin grapheme–phoneme correspondence and blending at the start of Foundation 2, where our Phonics programme begins.
As a school we understand the importance of Phonics and early reading, so children have a phonics and reading lesson each day. Our phonics lessons are fun, engaging and follow a 4 part structure: Revisit/review, teach, practise and apply. The children are encouraged to use their phonetic knowledge when decoding words in reading and applying it to their writing. Children are taught the grapheme–phoneme correspondence through the use of picture cards and mnemonics. Children learn phrases to help them with the formation of letters, these can be found using the link below:
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Any gaps in knowledge are carefully tracked through assessment and monitoring and gaps are addressed through additional phonics support. These sessions are in addition to their daily phonics lesson.
Supporting your child with reading
Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.
There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home:
A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
A sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.
Reading practice book
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.
Sharing book
In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book 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!
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