Phonics and Reading
At Baltonborough we use Read Write Inc Phonics (RWI) to give your child the best possible start with their literacy.
We have put together a guide to how the RWI programme works together with some useful links.
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, we will continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading. RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin.
For more information, please follow the links below.
Parent Reading Information
How will RWI be taught?
Reception Outline
In Reception all children will learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down.
Reading
The children:
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learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts
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learn to read words using Fred talk and sound blending
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read from a range of storybooks and non-fictions books matched to their phonic knowledge
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work well with partners
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develop comprehension skills in stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It' discussion questions
Writing
The children:
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learn to write and form the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds with the help of fun phrases
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learn to write words by using Fred Talk
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learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before they write
Talking
The children work in pairs so that they:
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answer every question
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practise every activity with their partner
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take turns in talking and reading to each other
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develop ambitious vocabulary
Helping at home
Children will take home RWI phonics book bag books to practise the phonics skills they are learning at school, alongside a storybook that they have read in their guided reading session. Phonics books aid application, speed and fluency- developing speedy reading! We send home one guided reading book that the children will be familiar with as they would have read it three times with us during the week. We will also send home one book bag book which they are not familiar with but will match their phonological knowledge and we will also send home a sharing book which is for the parent to enjoy reading to the child. Children are expected to read these books at least three times a week to build on their fluency and speedy reading.
Year One & Year Two Outline
Children follow the same format as Reception but will work on complex sounds and read books appropriate to their reading level. Daily sessions of RWI phonics last for 45 minutes to one hour.
Children who are fluent readers and complete the RWI phonics programme will then access guided reading opportunities.
Children will then no longer bring home the RWI books as they will then be able to access and read a range of books guided by their teacher.
Phonics Screening Year 1
The Year 1 phonics screening check is a short, light-touch assessment to confirm whether individual pupils have learnt phonic decoding to an appropriate standard.
It will identify the children who need extra help so they are given support by their school to improve their reading skills. They will then be able to retake the check so that schools can track pupils until they are able to decode.
Guided Reading
Once children have progressed through the Read, Write, Inc. they are ready to read independently and develop higher order reading skills. They will progress onto reading their own choice books guided by the class teacher and they will take part in teacher led guided reading sessions. These take place at least 4 times a week with an emphasis on the key skills - literal, deductive, inference and evaluative. We use a mixture of home readers plus our library to support a love of independent reading.
Book choices
Teachers use a wide range of resources to help support and direct children's choices when it comes to independent reading.
The Reader Teacher is an excellent and helpful website that provides recommended books for every year group and also has a book match option if your child has enjoyed a particular author but is stuck with what to try next.
Click on the year group to see sample book lists.
Click on the link for Book match options and further recommended reads:
#BookMatch | The Reader Teacher
We use our Rainbow Reading challenge to encourage the development of the skill of reading independently. This celebrates regular reading at home as we want independent reading to become a habit. Please do come into school to help choose books with your child and to discuss children's literature with our teachers.
We also use principles developed by the Open University to inform our approach to reading. Read the two documents from the Open University about how you can support reading for pleasure at home here: