Phonics
At Norbridge Primary Academy, phonics is taught daily using the Read Write Inc. programme. Teachers follow structured lessons as part of the RWI programme. The sounds are taught progressively: Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3 sounds. Each sound is introduced with a short rhyme and picture to make the sound memorable. These can be found here:
Red words are also taught. These are words that cannot be sounded out and have tricky letters. These words need to be taught to be read on sight.
RWI in Nursery:
The RWI programme begins in Foundation Stage 1, where adults and children share a wide variety of books. This allows the children time to explore, use new vocabulary, and develop an understanding of story book language. Children are then introduced to the pictures that go with each sound in the Set 1 sounds. In the third term, the children begin to learn the letter sound correspondences. In Foundation Stage 2, the RWI journey continues. Our aim is to develop the children’s phonological awareness.
Useful Links:
Here you will find information about Read Write Inc.
Programme of Teaching Expectations:
| Foundation Stage 2 | End of Autumn 1: Read single-letter Set 1 sounds. End of Autumn Term: Read all Set 1 sounds; blend sounds into words orally. End of Spring 1: Blend sounds to read words; read short Ditty stories. End of Spring Term: Read Red storybooks. End of Summer 1: Read Green storybooks; read some Set 2 sounds. End of Summer Term: Read Green or Purple storybooks. |
| Year 1 | End of Autumn 1: Read Purple storybooks; read some Set 2 sounds. End of Autumn Term: Read Pink storybooks; read all Set 2 sounds. End of Spring 1: Read Orange storybooks; read some Set 3 sounds. End of Spring Term: Read Yellow storybooks. End of Summer 1: Read Yellow storybooks; read all of Set 3 sounds. End of Summer Term: Read Blue storybooks. |
| Year 2 | End of Autumn 1: Read Blue storybooks. End of Autumn Term: Read Blue storybooks with increasing fluency and comprehension. End of Spring 1: Read Grey storybooks. End of Spring Term: Read Grey storybooks with fluency and comprehension. End of Summer 1: Access comprehension and spelling programmes. End of Summer Term: Access comprehension and spelling programmes. |
Assessment of Phonics:
Our pupils are monitored daily to ensure that no pupils get left behind. If a child is struggling, then timely intervention is put into place immediately.
Pupils are assessed half-termly using the RWI individual assessments. Our Phonics Lead organises the RWI groups, providing support to class teachers in identifying children who will be targeted. This allows all children to ‘keep up’. Interventions take place in the form of RWI 1:1 tutoring.
Pupils in KS2:
For those pupils moving into KS2 who are still not secure in phonics, the RWI programme continues. Extra intervention is put into place to ensure that they catch up quickly. The children will be assessed half-termly using RWI assessments and phonic screening tests to identify gaps and inform future intervention.
In addition to RWI sessions, we ensure that:
· Phonics activities are available throughout the continuous provision to support adult-led activities.
· For those pupils who are unable to keep up in class, extra phonics support is planned to their needs.
· The application of phonics learning is developed across the wider curriculum.
Reading Books:
At Norbridge Primary Academy, children take home a reading book that is decodable and matched to their phonic knowledge. They also select a book to read for the purposes of developing their comprehension skills and ensuring children have a rich reading experience. Pupils are encouraged to select a book for themselves, which an adult at home may read to them.
You can also access around 70 FREE RWI books on the Oxford Owl website.