Phonics

At Chilwell Croft Academy 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 centred 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 to write them.

How does RWI work at Chilwell Croft?

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

They work in small groups with teachers and teaching assistants every day. KS2 also receive RWI lessons as needed.

At the end of each half term the children will be assessed again to check they have made progress and will be 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.

 

When using RWI to write the children will:

  • Spell effortlessly so that they can put their energy into working out what they want to write.
  • Learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds (graphemes).
  • Learn to write words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk.
  • Learn to write simple and then increasingly complex sentences.
  • Compose a range of texts using discussion prompts.
  • Compose stories based on picture strips.
  • Write simple sentences.

 

 

Talking

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

  • Answer questions to practise 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.

 

How will I know how to pronounce the phonic sounds?

There is lots of videos and information available on their website:

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 practise reading.