Phonics

Phase 3

Children will be introduced to new graphemes during this phase. Children will continue to practice oral segmenting and blending and will apply their knowledge of blending and segmenting to reading and spelling words and captions.

Phase 4

The teaching of adjacent consonants.

Phase 5

Alternative spellings

Alternative pronunciations

Our approach to teaching synthetic phonics, combined with Guided Reading and Shared Reading, embed early reading skills and enable children to develop early writing strategies.

 Shared and Guided Reading sessions balance the teaching of reading between word reading, wider decoding skills, grammar for reading, wider comprehension strategies and response to text in order to develop fluent readers who understand what they are reading.

Comprehension is taught from an early age to prevent comprehension difficulties arising as the language demand of the texts they encounter increases.

We believe that it is important that children read for meaning because not only does a lack of comprehension create a barrier to educational attainment but also because better comprehenders are more likely to be motivated readers.

Children are taught to read using both big books and shared text where the teachers model what to do for the children. The children then have opportunities to practise their phonic skills through reading phonetically decodable texts (Bug Club) during guided reading and apply their learning in a meaningful manner.

There is also an emphasises on oracy and the teaching of high frequency words to encourage fluency. These words are also sent home with children to ensure continuous practise and allow for further consolidation.

Assessment forms an integral part of the approach so the progress of children is tracked carefully to ensure they do not fall behind in their learning. The teachers draw upon observations and periodic assessments to ensure children are stretched and challenged and to identify children who may need additional support.

Interventions are planned for the children who are working below expected levels as soon as their needs are identified. Children, who are identified as not being on track to pass the phonics screening check, receive an afternoon phonics intervention in addition to their daily phonics session. Thus giving them the best possible chance of reaching age related expectations.

In June, the national Phonics Screening Check is undertaken to confirm that the children have learned to decode to an age appropriate standard and determines what level of provision they will require the following year.

If you would like to know about ALS: Letters and Sound and how to support your child at home, please speak to your child’s class teacher or for more information have a look at their website.