Reading and Phonics Scheme
At Dean Valley, we believe that learning to read is one of the most important skills a child will develop. Reading opens a world of imagination, knowledge and opportunity, and we are committed to helping every child become a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader.
Early Reading and Phonics
In Reception, Year 1 and Year 2, we use Read Write Inc. Phonics (RWI) to teach children the essential skills they need to learn to read and write. Through structured, engaging and carefully sequenced lessons, children develop their knowledge of sounds, learn to blend sounds to read words and build fluency and understanding.
In Read, Write Inc Phonics sessions children learn to read accurately and fluently with good comprehension. Read, Write Inc offers a good selection of texts, both fiction and non - fiction. Lively phonic books are closely matched to children's increasing knowledge of phonics and 'tricky' words so that, early on, they experience plenty of success. Repeated readings of the texts support thier increasingly fluent decoding.
- Every lesson connects with the last and each activity connects with the next: the phonics, the reading and writing.
- Children work in targeted progress groups so they can all participate. No child is ever left behind. They are assessed each half term to ensure the speediest progress.
- Talking is at the heart of every lesson. Children learn the routines that enable them to explain and practise what they’ve been taught with a partner.
- One-to-one tutoring provides quick keep up and long-term support for children with SEND.
As part of the programme, children learn to:
- Recognise sounds – learning the sounds represented by individual letters and groups of letters.
- Blend sounds – putting sounds together to read words, such as c-a-t to make cat.
- Read words and sentences – applying their phonics knowledge to read books matched to their learning.
- Develop fluency – practising reading so that it becomes increasingly accurate, smooth and expressive.
- Build comprehension – discussing stories, explaining vocabulary, answering questions and developing an understanding of what they read.
There are free video tutorials on the Read, Write Inc website – www.ruthmiskin.com
Pure sounds video Parent video: How to say the sounds - YouTube
At Dean Valley we send home Read Write Inc. book bag books and a love of reading book each week to children in Key Stage 1.
Reading after phonics
Once children have completed the Read Write Inc. phonics programme in Year 2, they will move on to choosing books independently from our school library. Children will be encouraged to explore a wide range of texts, including fiction, non-fiction and poetry, helping them to develop their reading fluency, comprehension and love of reading. Books are organised into bands, which are carefully matched to each child’s year group and assessment data to ensure that they are reading books that provide the right level of challenge and support. As children develop their reading skills, they will be encouraged to broaden their choices, explore different genres and become confident, enthusiastic and independent readers.
How can I support my child at home?
Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children become successful readers. Little and often is a great way to build confidence and establish positive reading habits.
Here are some simple ways to support your child:
- Read regularly together. Aim to share your child's school reading book frequently, following the guidance provided by their teacher.
- Practise the sounds. Encourage your child to recognise and say the sounds they have been learning in school.
- Encourage blending. If your child is sounding out a word, give them time to blend the sounds together rather than telling them the word straight away.
- Talk about the book. Ask questions such as “What has happened so far?”, “Why do you think that happened?” and “What might happen next?”
- Read aloud to your child. Enjoy stories together, even when your child can already read independently. This helps develop vocabulary, imagination and understanding.
- Keep reading positive. Praise your child's effort, celebrate progress and make reading an enjoyable part of everyday life.
If your child is finding a word difficult, encourage them to use the sounds they know. If they are unsure, model the word and allow them to try again. Please speak to your child's teacher if you would like further advice.
Reading for pleasure
At Dean Valley, we want children not only to learn to read but also to develop a lifelong love of reading.
We provide opportunities for children to enjoy a wide range of stories, poems, information books and other texts. Through reading aloud, book discussions and independent reading, children develop their vocabulary, imagination, curiosity and understanding of the world.
Reading is an important part of learning across the whole curriculum, and we encourage all children to discover books and authors that inspire them.
