Phonics and spellings

Phonics

Little Wandle

Why are we starting a new phonic scheme?

In July 2021, the Government produced a new ‘reading framework’ which focused on early reading research. It states that by ensuring high-quality phonics teaching, the government wants to improve literacy levels to:

· give all children a solid base upon which to build as they progress through school

· help children to develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information.

A government validated systematic synthetic phonics teaching programme should be used in all schools.

 

Which validated programme have we chosen?

We have chosen Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a complete systematic synthetic phonics programme developed for schools by schools. Little Wandle is based on the original Letters and Sounds, but extensively revised to provide a complete teaching programme meeting all the expectations of the National Curriculum.

How will phonics be taught in school?

Phonics sessions will be taught every day led by the class teacher for approximately 20 mins. All the class will stay to together and then there will be keep up and catch-up sessions for small groups and individuals during the day as appropriate.

How will reading be taught in school?

Children will read in small, same ability groups three times each week. This will be with a teacher or teacher assistant. The same scheme book will be read in the group each time but each session will focus on three specific skills of reading:

Session 1: Decoding (sounding out and reading the words)

Session 2: Prosody (expression and reading with meaning in our voices)

Session 3: Comprehension (understanding what has been read)

Will my child take home a scheme book?

The book that has been used in the three reading sessions will be sent home. This reading practice book will be fully decodable and will match your child’s phonic ability. They should not struggle or find the book a challenge. Please avoid thinking that this is then too ‘easy’ for your child – you should listen to them read with confidence and enjoy their expression and knowledge of the book.

Will my child take home any other books too?

Yes! If children are to become lifelong readers, it is essential that they are encouraged to read for pleasure. The desire of wanting to read will help with the skill of reading. To help foster a love of reading, children will take a book home that they can share and enjoy with you. This will be a book of their choice from the class library. This is known as the sharing book. You should not expect your child to read this book independently and certainly should not try to get your child to do so. This book is for you to read to or with your child and enjoy together.

Will I need to write in their reading diary?

Yes please! This information gives all staff an insight into reading at home. Comments could be as simple as:

Read the sharing book together and enjoyed.

[Child’s Name] predicted what would happen.

We had to read it twice it was so good!

I was impressed with [Child’s name] expression.

Fluent and confident.

Read well.

Will all children be taught using Little Wandle?

Yes! Reception children will start the programme from the beginning. Y1 children will be revising some of their sounds from last year and then teachers will be assessing where they need to start on the programme.

Can I get more information about Little Wandle?

Yes! There is a dedicated area on the Little Wandle website for parents: www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

This site has videos demonstrating how to say the sounds, downloads of the sounds we are teaching and further support for reading at home.

Spelling and Grammar

For two sessions each week in Key Stage 2, the children have a support for a spelling session focussing on the spelling pattern that the children have been given to practice for their spelling test on the following Friday.

With the new National Curriculum, there are new spelling patterns and word lists that the children will need to know.

Use the link below to look at the spelling patterns and word lists that the children will be learning from September 2014.

Punctuation and Grammar

For another two sessions, the children are taught punctuation and grammar. This ranges from teaching children about nouns, verbs and adjectives to identifying clauses within sentences. For more information on the SPAG test, please click on the link below.

SPAG Test Parent Information

Punctuation and Grammar National Curriculum appendix

For the final day’s session, the pupils are taught how to use cursive handwriting.