Phonics
We use the Letters and Sounds Phonics scheme and incorporate Jolly Phonics actions to learn the sounds.
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skilfully. They are taught how to:
• recognise the sounds that each individual letter makes.
• identify the sounds that different combinations of letters make such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’; and
• blend these sounds together from left to right to make a word.
Children can then use this knowledge to ‘de-code’ new words that they hear or see. This is the first important step in learning to read. Children receive daily phonics sessions in Early Years and KS1. Those children who require phonics in KS2 also receive Phonics sessions.
Letters and Sounds splits learning into 6 Phonic Phases.
Phase 1 develops children’s ability to hear and distinguish sounds around them. It focuses on oral blending and segmenting and rhyming.
Phase 2 introduces letter sounds for reading and writing with a set of letters being taught weekly. It begins to look at blending for reading and segmenting for writing. A selection of ‘tricky words’ are taught during Phase 2.
Phase 3 introduces the rest of the individual letter sounds and diagraphs. Children will continue blending and segmenting and further tricky words are taught. Children will also learn the letter names of the alphabet during this phase.
Phase 4 helps build on the previous understanding of blending and segmenting and children gain experience of using words that have adjacent consonants such as trap, milk. No new sounds are taught.
Phase 5 introduces alternative graphemes for phonemes e.g. children will know /ai/ as in rain from phase 3 but they will learn that /ay/ as in day and /a_e/ as in make also make the /ai/ sound. They will also learn alternative pronunciations for graphemes e.g. ea – tea, head, break.
Phase 6 allows children to become fluent readers and accurate spellers.
We
run regular phonics workshops for parents/carers of children in
Reception and Y1 so they understand how we teach the children to read
and so that they can support their child at home.
Reading
At Sharrow we believe in providing quality books for the children to read. We use a range of different reading schemes so that the children don’t become too familiar with one particular style. Children need to read a range of genre so we have fiction and non fiction books in order to develop a range of reading skills.
It is our aim to develop enthusiastic and confident readers who can understand a wide range of texts. Children read for interest, information and enjoyment. Reading is an empowering life skill so at Sharrow our commitment is to give children the best start and develop a love of books and reading for pleasure.
Our approach to teaching Reading
The teaching of reading at Sharrow comprises the following elements:
• Guided reading
• Phonics – daily
within FS2 and KS1 for all children and then as appropriate for children
not yet achieving the expected level at KS 2.
• Modelled and shared reading within literacy and other lessons
• Individual reading when appropriate
• Story time
• Activities to support comprehension within reading
• Regular visits to Highfield Library for children from Reception to Y3.
• The provision of a quality reading environment
•
Reading at home – children are encouraged to take books home regularly
to read with their families. In key stage 2 children have a ‘Reading
Explorer Book’ in Y3 and Y4 ‘Cliff-hanger Book’ in Y5 and Y6. Several
children in the class will read the same book and they are expected to
complete self-directed written tasks connected to the book in response
to what they have read. They may do a character study or write a review
for example. They can then discuss the book they have read with their
classmates who have read the same book.
Speaking and Listening
We recognise the importance of developing children’s oral skills as the bedrock of any literacy development. Children’s spoken language is assessed in Nursery or when they join the school in another year group. School staff are clear on the need to develop all children’s spoken and receptive vocabulary, strategies for doing this are integral to everyday practise. Some children may need extra support and they follow individual programmes accordingly. Adults will use language frames to help teach good grammatically correct spoken language.
Writing
The Phonics skills which are taught in Nursery lead into the development of writing skills. Children are encouraged to use their phonic skills to spell new words, they also have to learn to spell the key words for each year group. Children are expected to write grammatically correct sentences at an appropriate level and are given the support to do so. Correct spellings, neat and legible handwriting and accurate grammar are important. However, we also place a lot of value on the creative aspect of writing and we encourage children to write with imagination, confidence and flair. The school curriculum is designed to give children the stimuli and opportunities to use their writing skills effectively and imaginatively.