Early Reading & Phonics
At Leigh Primary School we teach phonics using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Phonics Programme.
Please find below information regarding the implementation of the new phonics scheme Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised Phonics Programme at Leigh Primary School.
Please find below a PowerPoint presentation that was presented to parents in December 2021 regarding Early Reading and Phonics.
- Early Reading and Phonics Presentation
- Little Wandle Programme Overview
- Phonics and Early Reading Policy
Please click here for further parent information about Little Wandle from the scheme's website.
Why is learning to read is so important?
- Reading is essential for all subject areas and improves life chances.
- Positive attitudes to reading and choosing to read have academic, social and emotional benefits for children.
How do children learn to read?
- Phonics is the only route to decoding.
- Learning to say the phonic sounds.
- By blending phonic sounds to read words.
- Increasing the child’s fluency in reading sound/docs/Phonics_Page/pronunciation_guide_autumn_1.pdfs, words and books.
Reading fully decodable books
- Children must read books consistent with their phonic knowledge.
- It is essential not to use other strategies to work out words (including guessing words, deducing meaning from pictures, grammar, context clues or whole word recognition).
- Books must be fully decodable and follow the Little Wandle scheme
- Children need to read books in a progressive sequence until they can decode unfamiliar words confidently.
How can you support your child with reading?
Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. Research has shown that children who read for 20 extra minutes per day acquire 2 million more words per year which equates to more fluency in daily reading.
Parents and carers are encouraged to:
- Model the importance of reading practice to develop fluency and encourage the love of reading through daily reading and sharing of books.
- Use voices, expression, discuss unfamiliar vocabulary, talk about the pictures, and predict what might happen next when hearing reading and sharing books to promote reading skills and the love of reading.
- Celebrate and praise your child’s success!
- Ensure reading practice books and reading diaries are in book bags every day and returned in a good condition.
- When hearing your child read daily, make a brief note and date when you have read the reading practice book at home.
Books sent home:
There are two different types of books that pupils bring home: decodable reading practice and books to share for pleasure. Reading at home encourages a love of books, along with developing vocabulary and discussion.
There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:
A reading practice book
This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently. This will be changed by the class teacher every Friday. This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.
Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.
The Big Cat E-books that match the physical books sent home, will be made available to children who cannot obtain physical books from school for reasons such as isolating or due to other Covid-19 restrictions as appropriate.
A sharing book
Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together. Your child can choose a new book every day if they wish and will be encouraged to choose their books independently. In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!
Below are some videos to support learning at home:
How we teach blending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL5YUCPyC5I
How we teach tricky words
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTC0PbtmeUA
Resources for home:
Parents Glossary for Phonics terms
Click on the images below for resources to support phonetic knowledge and letter formation at home.
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/docs/Phonics_Page/grapheme_mats_phase_2_and_3.pdf/docs/Phonics_Page/grapheme_mats_phase_2_3_and_5.pdf
Supporting your child's reading comprehension at home:
V - Vocabulary
I - Inference
P - Prediction
E - Explanation
R - Retrieval
S - Sequence/Summarise
Asking your child a range of questions when reading at home will develop their comprehension skills. Please find below documents for KS1 and KS2 question stems that will support questioning at home.
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Further information:
Year 1 phonics screening check information:
https://www.theschoolrun.com/what-parents-need-know-about-year-1-phonics-screening-check
DfE phonics screening check information:
New DfE Reading Framework: