Phonics

Phonics at KINS

Reading underpins children’s access to the curriculum and it clearly impacts on their achievement. Children who enjoy reading and choose to read benefit not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. To be able to read, children need to be taught an efficient strategy to decode words. That strategy is phonics.

It is essential that children are actively taught and supported to use phonics as the only approach to decoding. In our school we use the phonics scheme Little Wandle Letters and Sounds.

Phonic decoding skills are practised every day until our children become automatic and fluent readers.

Children are given regular opportunities to apply the phonics they have learned to reading fully decodable books. The phonic progression in these books match the progression of the phonics taught.

The reading practice sessions take place at least three times a week using books that match the phonics progression of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds and have been designed to focus on three key reading skills:

• decoding

• prosody – reading with meaning, stress and intonation

• comprehension – understanding the text

Comprehension skills also need to be taught to enable children to make sense of what they read, build on what they already know and give them a desire to want to read. Reading increases children’s vocabulary because they encounter words they would rarely hear or use in everyday speech.

Assessment is continuous to ensure that children have the opportunity to revisit anything they need to. Any children needing extra phonics support will have extra 'Keep Up' sessions.

Parents can also engage with at home with the resources that are provided both in packs and online.

Year 1 children will take a phonics screening check in June.  Parents will be informed of the results with the annual school report.

You will be invited into school to see how we teach phonics at the different stages. We hold phonics workshops for parents throughout the year. If you would like further information or support, please pop in and have a chat with your class teacher.

Reading mornings take place each term for all year groups and this a good opportunity to join us and enjoy reading  with your child. Staff are available to answer your questions and offer advice.

Phonics Workshop for Parents

Phonics Screening

Little Wandle Letters and Sounds

These three videos show you how to pronounce the sounds. Notice how the children don’t add an ‘uh’ sound at the end, so they say: ‘t’ not ‘tuh’. Use the downloadable information to help your child remember how to write their letters and say their sounds.

These videos show you how we teach your child specific aspects of phonics in class.