At Springhead Primary School we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy.

Read Write Inc Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing, which is centered around learning the sounds of the letters (phonics) and then blending them together to read words.  The children also learn to break down words into individual sounds in order to write them.

How does RWI work at Springhead Primary School?

The children in the Reception and KS1 classes are assessed by the RWI reading lead and grouped according to their ability.

Children in Reception work in small groups with reading teachers every day. The children in year 1 and year 2 are grouped across both year groups and work with a reading teacher every day.

At the end of each half term the children are assessed again to check that they have made progress and are grouped again.  In addition to the Read Write Inc programme the children will also be working on writing skills and storytelling in their classes with their own class teacher.

When using RWI to read the children will:

Learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into understanding what they read.

Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts.

Learn to read words using Fred Talk.

Learn to read words by blending the sounds together.

Read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out.

Show that they understand the stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove it' discussion questions.

Set 1 sounds include:

Set 2 sounds include:

Set 3 sounds include:

Talking

When using 'Read Write Inc' the children work in pairs to:

Answer questions to practice every activity.

Take turns talking to each other.

Give positive praise to each other.

Blending

Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sound sets.

Help your child learn to read words by sound-blending e.g. c-a-t = cat

Help children to say the pure sounds, as quickly as they can, and then to blend the sounds together to say the whole word.

Children in year 1 will sit the governments phonic screening check. Here are some past screening materials so that you can see examples of the words that your child will be expected to read. This screening consists of 'real' words and a range of 'alien' words.

Previous Phonics Screening Materials

2012 Materials - Download

2013 Materials - Download

2014 Materials - Download

2015 Materials - Download

2016 Materials - Download

2017 Materials - Download

How will I know how to pronounce the phonic sounds?

http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents/

What else can I do to help my child with their reading?

Read a variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, rhymes etc...). 

Discuss the different features of various books. 

Talk about the books and other reading materials that you have shared.

Explain the meaning of new words. 

Most importantly though, show the fun that can be gained by listening to stories and reading a range of texts. e.g. reading and then following a recipe together

Don't forget you don't have to read just books, cereal packets, shopping lists, road signs, web pages, magazines, newspapers etc... are useful ways to practice reading.