The government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early literacy skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.

Here at the Joseph Turner Primary School, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning based upon letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing. Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who can read more challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out.

Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so they can put all their energy into composing what they write. The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant. In addition to the RWI, children will also be working on writing skills in their classes with their own teacher.

The Read Write Inc leaders at Joseph Turner are Mrs Blackhurst and Mrs Jones. If you have any questions or need any guidance on the programme, please pop into the school office or give them a call and they will arrange an appointment for you.

Reading

When using RWI to read the children will:

Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple prompts.
Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk).
Read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out.
Show that they comprehend the stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It'.

Writing

When using RWI to write the children will:

Learn to write the letter/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds.
Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (Fred fingers).
Learn to write simple then more complex sentences.
Compose stories based on story strips.
Compose a range of texts using discussion prompts.

Talking

When using RWI the children will also work in pairs:

To answer questions.
To practise every activity.
To take turns talking and listening to each other.
To give positive praise to each other.

Blending

Help your child learn to read words by sounding-blending (Fred talk) eg. c-a-t = cat, sh-o-p = shop. Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sounds set. Help your child to say the pure sounds ('m' not 'muh', 's' not 'suh' etc.) as quickly as they can, and then blend the sounds together to say the whole word.

Support your child at home using the guide below:

Spelling

Once your child starts on green level reading and writing books, they will be completing spellings.  These spellings support the learning that is taking place during phonic lesson's and results are recorded in their book. Please support your child at home with learning their spellings. As children progress through the levels, the amount of spellings they bring home will increase.

Reading Books Sent Home

Children in Reception who are learning the first 44 letter sounds and are not blending fluently will bring home sound sheets to practise. Once children can blend fluently and know the first 44 sounds they will bring home a red Ditty book. Children on Green level to Orange level will bring home a RWI book and these will be changed every 3/4 days.

Children on Yellow level to Grey level will also bring home a RWI book as these books are lengthier, these will be changed once a week.

Read Write Inc Books:  Please encourage your child to read through the speed sounds page first, then the green and red words page and then check your child understands the meaning of words on the vocabulary check page, before they then start reading the book. Your child will have read this book at least three times before they bring it home. They should be able to read this book with fluency and expression by the time they bring it home, and they should have a good comprehension of what the book is about. At the back of the book are find it/prove it questions for you to complete with your child.