Phonics

At Astley School we want all children to become accurate, fluent and expressive readers who understand every word they read. This is because reading is the key that opens up all other learning. We use ‘Read Write Inc’, which a method of learning to read and spell centred around letter sounds.

In Reception children are introduced to Set 1 sounds (starting with letters of the alphabet). This allows them to decode words using ‘Fred Talk’ where they sound out each letter and blend these together to read the word.  

Alongside learning these sounds, the children will read carefully structured stories featuring the words they can sound out. Discussion about the story facilitates sound understanding, ensuring reading is both fun and purposeful.

Children then progress to Set 2 and Set 3 sounds (44 sounds in total). A sound associated with a group of letters is taught which the children then use to ‘Fred Talk’ an increasingly complex range of words. Each sound has a picture prompt making early learning memorable.

Stories continue to be introduced to the children that reinforce the sounds they have been learning and enable them to read with confidence and success.

To hear more about RWInc please click here. To hear how to pronounce sounds correctly please click here. 

Please click here for information to help parents support phonics at home.