Phonics at Longvernal Primary School
Phonics is an approach to teaching reading and writing that helps children make connections between the sounds of spoken words and the letters that represent those sounds. At Longvernal, we believe that a strong foundation in phonics is essential for children to become confident and fluent readers and writers.
At Longvernal, we teach phonics using the Systematic Synthetic Phonics (SSP) programme Read, Write, Inc. This programme is used daily from Reception and continues into Key Stage 1, with additional support provided where needed in Key Stage 2.
Through Read Write Inc, children learn the 44 phonemes that make up the English language and how to:
Read sounds and blend them to read words
Segment words into sounds for spelling
Read common exception (tricky/red) words
Develop fluency and comprehension skills.
The order we teach the sounds:
Set 1
m
a
s
d
t
i
n
p
g
o
c
k
u
b
f
e
l
h
sh
r
j
v
y
w
th
z
ch
qu
x
ng
nk
Set 2
ay
ee
igh
ow
oo
ar
or
air
ir
ou
oy
Set 3
ea
oi
a-e
i-e
o-e
u-e
aw
are
ur
er
ai
oa
ew
ire
ear
ure
Children are assessed regularly on their phonics knowledge so that teaching can be adapted and progress can be carefully tracked. These assessments are used to match each child with a decodable ‘book bag’ book, allowing them to apply their phonics knowledge successfully and experience early reading success.
We recognise the importance of working in partnership with parents and carers. You can support your child at home by:
Reading at least 3 times a week with your child and encouraging them to sound out words
Practise phonics sounds/spellings and tricky words at home (weekly spelling homework from Year 1 upwards)
Using the correct pronunciation of sounds-not adding ‘uh’ to the end of sounds – here is a video to support https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yln6PpV1G1I
Attending any phonics workshops or sessions offered by the school
If you would like further guidance on supporting phonics at home, please speak to your child’s class teacher.