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Reading and Phonics

At St Catherine's we believe that all pupils can achieve in reading, both for pleasure and in their comprehension and understanding. We do not put ceilings on what pupils can achieve and we do not hold pre-conceptions about any pupils’ ability to make progress.

We believe through reading, pupils will have a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. We feel that reading enable pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know.

Ambition:

Our intent is to:

  • Ensure pupils read easily, fluently and with good understanding
  • Develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information
  • Acquire a wide vocabulary and understanding of the conventions of reading
  • Appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage

Concepts:

The working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. The understanding that the letters on the page represent the sounds in spoken words. This begins with phonics teaching in early years.

The process of recap, revisit and recall is embedded into the reading comprehension lessons, to ensure long-term retention of skills and information to aid pupils in later life and empower them for life beyond St Catherine's.
 
Implementation:
 
We have carried out intensive work within school to highlight the value and importance we place on all children achieving reading.
 
Actions completed:
Reading questionnaires for pupils
Introduction and staff training on RWI phonics scheme
New books for reading
Library Service subscription
Whole class guided reading sessions
Set phonics, spelling, grammar and guided reading timetables
Parent meetings
Book corners in classrooms
Class Book Swap and Shared Reading Sessions
 
Please see the attached related policies and documents.
 
 
7 areas of reading at St Catherine's
St Catherine's Reading Curriculum Progression Map
Policy on phonics and teaching reading and writing
St Catherine's Writing Curriculum Progression Map RWI KS2 spelling
St Catherine's Spoken Language Curriculum Progression Map
Renaissance Parents Guide
A-parents-guide-myON
Foundation system for home reading
KS1 Home Reading System
English_Policy October 23
Parent Guidance on the Read Write Inc - Learning to read with Phonics

Read Write Inc. is a popular phonics scheme. Like all phonics schemes, it teaches children the sounds in English, the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters when writing. Read Write Inc. Phonics includes reading books written using only the letters they have learnt at each level (and a small number of separately taught tricky words). The children will quickly feel confident and successful.

Here you can find lots of free resources to support your child’s learning.

Free eBooks | Videos | Set 1 resources | Set 2 resources | Set 3 resources | Kits and flashcards to use at home

Read Write Inc. Phonics

We have lots of free Read Write Inc. Phonics resources to help your child, including eBooks, practice sheets and parent films. We suggest you start by watching this film for parents: What is Read Write Inc. Phonics?

 

Speed sounds and Read Write Inc. Stages

If your child is learning to read at school with Read Write Inc. Phonics, they will be at one of the following stages:

Learning Set 1 Speed Sounds

Learning to blend with Set 1 Speed Sounds

Learning Set 2 Speed Sounds

Learning Set 3 Speed Sounds

Reading books with Set 1, 2, and 3 Speed Sounds

You will find a useful phonics audio guide to all these sounds in our Sound Pronunciation Guide video. It is really important to say the sounds clearly to help your child learn them. We say ‘mmmm’ not ‘muh’ and ‘lllll’ not ‘luh’ when teaching the sounds. This really helps children when they learn to blend sounds together to read words.

What is Fred Talk?

If your child’s school is using Read Write Inc. Phonics, teachers will introduce your child to a toy frog called Fred once he or she is ready to start reading words.

Fred can only say the sounds in a word and needs your child to help him read the word. Fred will say the sounds and children will work out the word. For example, Fred will say the sounds c–a–t, and children will say the word cat. This is Fred Talk: sounding out the word.

Videos

Watch our parent tutorials to learn all about how to support your child as they learn with Read Write Inc. Phonics, with detailed ideas and advice on pronouncing pure sounds, blending, and digraphs.

https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/

 

Parents' Read Write Inc Guide to helping your child learn to read
Read Write Inc - Pure Sounds Demonstration
Read Write Inc - Blending sounds - Parent information