Phonics and Reading
INTENT
Every child will leave our school reading and reading well. They will read for pleasure and to learn more about the world around them. They will be well prepared for the next stage of their learning in the junior school.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our children are taught to read through a sequential approach to reading and phonics which begins in the earliest years; nursery and reception. (Phonics refers to the sounds letters make on their own or in combination with other letters.)
Phonics is taught daily through 'Phonics Bug' and children are expected to make rapid progress. 'Phonics Bug' is a interactive and multi-sensory approach to teaching systematic synthetic phonics. Children use their phonic knowledge alongside segmenting and blending throughout the day. Children have access to online learning at home to compliment and practise their class learning.
Children are introduced to reading from nursery by enjoying stories, books and rhymes. They are encouraged to talk about and share their favourite stories. Through this, the children develop a deep love of reading. This continues throughout their time in our school. Children take home 'bedtime stories' to share with their families and so deepen this love.
Children are introduced to reading books as soon as possible in reception. These are closely matched to the phonics they have learned. Books levels are frequently reviewed so that progress is rapid.
Reading and Phonics Progression Map 2022.docx
Phonics Schedule - Whole School
If you would like to find out more about how the children continue to learn at the junior school,
please follow the link below;
St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School: Reading (smmj.co.uk)
IMPACT
Children make rapid progress in their reading and phonics and so a huge proportion pass their phonics screening check in Year 1. An increasing number of children reach the expected level or better by the end of Year 2 and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning.
HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING
Reading, and a love of books, is a precious gift that you can give to your child. Books are a gateway to a different world every day. Through stories you can take your child to places that are special and unique. This guide will hopefully share some ideas for books that children love, when to share them and what to do after you’ve read them. Whilst children can become fed up of a film, books are something that they will return to again and again. When a child becomes familiar with a story, they will happily sit and ‘read’ it to themselves whether they can read the words or not. Albert Einstein said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.
Children need positive reading role models. If you read, they are likely to want to do the same. It doesn’t matter if it is a book, magazine or newspaper. Children also enjoy having a bedtime story right through to the Junior School and beyond. As your child gets older, they will learn to cope with stories with chapters. There are a huge range of easier chapter books to buy, with a lot of illustrations to break up the text. Any of the teachers will be happy to share ideas about recommendations for books to have at home. The most important thing is to spend time with your child, have a cuddle and enjoy books. There are many online sources for well-priced books.
PHONICS BUG AT HOME
Each child has an individual log in to 'Phonics Bug'. Here you will find additional books to share and read as well as games to play to reinforce the learning taking place in school. These activities have been chosen for your child by their teacher.
ActiveLearn: Login (activelearnprimary.co.uk)
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