Phonics 

What does phonics at Haimo look like?

We are following Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a complete systematic synthetic phonics programme (SSP) developed for schools by schools. Based on the original Letters and Sounds, but extensively revised to provide a complete teaching programme meeting all the expectations of the National Curriculum, the Ofsted Deep Dive into reading and preparing your children to go beyond the expectations of the Phonics Screening Check.

Why is phonics important?

Research shows that when phonics is taught in a structured way – starting with the easiest sounds and progressing through to the most complex – it is the most effective way of teaching young children to read. It is particularly helpful for children aged 5 to 7. Almost all children who receive good teaching of phonics will learn the skills they need to tackle new words. They can then go on to read any kind of text fluently and confidently, and to read for enjoyment. Children who have been taught phonics also tend to read more accurately than those taught using other methods, such as ‘look and say’. This includes children who find learning to read difficult, for example those who have dyslexia.

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read quickly and skilfully. They are taught how to:

Recognise the sounds (phonemes, graphemes, diagraphs and trigraphs) that each individual letter or letters make.

Identify alternative pronunciations of graphemes - such as ‘sh’ or ‘oo’; and blend these 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.

 Progression of teaching

 We teach the children phonics from Nursery up to Year 2 and beyond in keep up sessions if required.

Typically, phases follow the following pattern of teaching:

Nursery – pre-phonic preparation

Reception - Phase 2, 3 and 4

Year 1 – Phase 5

Year 2 - As reading and spelling are reversible processes, and because we teach spelling alongside reading, children will learn to spell words with these suffixes too. However, we know that spelling is harder than reading and so continue teaching spelling by applying the alphabetic code and rules about suffixes in Year 2 as detailed in the National Curriculum.

Styles of teaching

We have moved away from using actions in phonics. The reason that there are no actions to teach the sounds is that we want the children to think about the sounds and blending them together. When movements are introduced these become the thing that children are thinking about rather than the sounds and blending.

Sessions typically run 20 minutes a day. With 20 minutes of small group reading, with a trained adult, three times a week.

What can Parents and Carers do to support their child/children?

Phonics works best when children are given plenty of encouragement and learn to enjoy reading and books. Parents/carers play a very important part in helping with this. Some simple steps to help your child learn to read through phonics:

Supporting 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.

 here 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.

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.

Reading practice book

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.

Sharing book

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!

Please click here to visit the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds revised website.

Here you will find videos and guides for the sounds your child is being taught. You will also find useful information about how phonics is taught using the Little Wandle materials that Haimo have introduced as well as extra information about supporting your child with reading.

If you have any questions about phonics please contact your child’s class teacher.

Please click here to download a copy of the Reception and Year 1 programme progression document from Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

Please click here to download a copy of the Grow the Phoneme sounds chart from Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.