Phonics, spelling and reading
The Primary Framework for
Literacy
The Framework that we use to teach Literacy places
a greater emphasis on speaking and listening, drama and discussion. There has been recent research on the
teaching of early reading, the results of which have had an impact on the way
we teach phonics. Every school is
encouraged to stick to a structured phonics programme which means that children
are receiving high quality phonics teaching every day. The aim is that children can read and spell
accurately.
Aims for Year One
- To
broaden knowledge of letters and sounds for use in reading and spelling, e.g.
- to
learn alternative spellings for sounds, such as ai or a_e?
- to
learn alternative pronunciation of sounds when reading, e.g. ch as in chin or
school or chef.
- Ability
to segment (spell) and to blend (read)
- Recognition
of high frequency words
Aims for Year Two
- To
make informed spelling choices, e.g. gaym or game?
- To
consolidate knowledge that sounds can be spelt in more than one way
- Accurate
and consistent spelling of high frequency words in written work
- Fluent
blending
Spelling in class
- Linked
to our phonic work
- No
official test but a dictation exercise
- Spelling
homework will be out on a Thursday and needs to be returned by the following
Tuesday
- Children
read individually and in groups
- When
your child had read in a group the book will be sent home for them to share
with you. They may read books at a
different colour level when reading in a group
- We
have structured levelling which means that children have to fulfil specific
objectives on each level rather than read a certain number of books.
- We
will assess the children regularly and appreciate any comments you may make in their
Reading Record Books. Please also tick
the list inside the front cover to indicate when a book has been read.
- Please
ensure that the reading book and Yellow Reading Record is in school every day.
- The
children change their books three times a week in the classroom with the help
of Mrs Cadwallader.
Ideas for at home to aid
spelling
- Generate
rhyming strings
- Tell
me the sounds you can hear in . . .
- Can
you write them down, does it looks right?
- Play
sound pairs
- Look
at a newspaper and highlight sounds we are learning this week
- Search
for words containing a particular spelling pattern
- For
Tricky words: Look, copy, cover, write and check
- Use
letter names for Tricky words such as, was
- Say
it as it sounds: Wed-nes-day
- Learn
mnemonics, e.g. because (big elephants can always understand small elephants)
- Divide
words into syllables: think-ing
Ideas for at home to aid
reading
- Read
with your child as often as possible
- Do
not prompt too quickly but do not leave them struggling!
- Give
clues: first sound, picture, context
- Ask
them to retell the story
- Ask
specific questions: why did that happen? What would happen if. . .?
- Discuss
characters
- Encourage
expression taking into account punctuation
- ENJOY!!!!
Useful websites:
ictgames.com
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites/
www.ngfl-cymru.org.uk/eng/vtc-home/vtc-ks1-home/vtc-ks1-english(2)/vtc-ks1-english-phonics
www.coxhoe.durham.sch.uk
http://www.lcfclubs.com/englishzone/phonicszone/index.asp