Phonics
Intent
At Pucklechurch Primary, we recognise reading as a key life skill, which underpins access to the rest of the curriculum. We aim for children to read words and simple sentences by the end of Reception, become successful, fluent readers by the end of Key Stage 1 and develop a lifelong love of reading as they move through school. At Pucklechurch we use Little Wandle throughout Early Years and Key Stage 1. Children need to learn key phonic knowledge and develop skills in segmenting and blending to complete the phonics check at the end of Year 1 and as part of developing fluency in reading. We also value and encourage pupils to read for enjoyment and recognise that this starts with the foundations of acquiring letter sounds, segmenting and blending skills – enjoying success and gaining confidence from a positive experience.
- By the end of Reception, the aim is for all children to have a secure understanding of Phases 2 and 3 and will beable to segment and blend words within these phases. Children are introduced to the ‘tricky words’ early in the Autumn term in Reception and aim to read and write the high frequency words for Phase 2 to 3 before they enter Year 1.
- The aim in Year 1 is to ensure all children have completed Phase 4 and 5 and be ready to begin the Essential Spelling programme upon entry into Year 2. We aim for all children to read and write all the common exception words for Year 1.
Implementation
Through Little Wandle, the children are taught the essential skills needed for reading. Phonics is taught daily to all children in Reception and KS1.Each phonics lesson includes the following elements:
- Revise – overlearn the previous graphemes and words
- Teach – introduce a new grapheme/words
- Practise – develop GPCs (grapheme phoneme correspondences)/read and spell new words
- Apply – use new graphemes/words in games and activities to secure knowledge
Extra support is provided to those in Year 2 who have not passed phonics screening in Year 1 and interventions are planned for those children who are working below expected levels. Staff systematically teach learners the relationship between sounds and the written spelling patterns, or graphemes, which represent them. In Reception, Phonics is taught through daily whole class teaching input and small group activities. Staff ensure Phonics is an integrated part of all learning in Reception, making links across the Early Years Curriculum as children explore the environment. In Year 1 phonics is taught though a whole class teaching input, then differentiated activities for groups linked to the graphemes learning. Targeted intervention through KS1 for the teaching of phonics is organised into small groups, outside of the phonics lesson, depending on children’s prior phonics knowledge, and looking at where individuals need challenge or support.
Pupils have regular reading sessions with an adult to ensure they are regularly practising and applying their phonics knowledge. This includes extra one-to-one reading for those children who are most vulnerable to enable them to catch up to meet age related expectations. In the EYFS the continuous provision matches children’s current knowledge and understanding whilst ensuring the children are suitably challenged
Teachers regularly assess children’s phonics knowledge and these regular assessments inform planning and allow teachers to identify any gaps in learning. Children have phonically decodable reading books matched to their phonics knowledge which they are encouraged to read regularly at home to ensure fluency in reading is developed. Books are chosen from our Big Cat reading scheme.
Impact
As a result of high quality phonics provision, children make good progress from their starting points. The vast majority are ready for the next stage in their education as they transfer through Early Years, Key Stage 1 and into Key Stage 2. Many children accelerate progress during these years from baseline below ARE to meeting expectations in phonics, reading and writing. Children enjoy listening to adults read and develop a love of reading, gaining satisfaction from their growing success in developing independence and fluency.
How to support your child at home
For more information visit the Little Wandle website:
https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/
Below is a grapheme mat, this displays phases 2,3 and 5. Children in reception, year 1 and year 2 will use this to support their phonic knowledge. There is a picture to match the phoneme and it also shows 'grow the code' which supports the understanding of alternative spellings.