Reading & Phonics Schemes
Read Write Inc Overview
At St Aloysius we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy.
Read Write Inc Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing, which is centred around learning the sounds of the letters (phonics) and then blending them together to read words. The children also learn to break down words into individual sounds in order to write them.
How does RWI work at St Aloysius?
The children in EYFS and KS1 are assessed by the RWI Reading Leader (Miss Harrison) and the assessment team and then grouped according to their ability. They work in small groups with teachers and teaching assistants every day in EYFS and KS1.
At the end of each half term the children will be assessed again to check their progress and will be regrouped.
When using RWI to read the children will:
- Learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into understanding what they read.
- Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts.
- Learn to read words using Fred Talk.
- Learn to read words by blending the sounds together.
Blending
Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sound sets.
Help your child learn to read words by sound-blending e.g. c-a-t = cat
Help children to say the pure sounds, as quickly as they can, and then to blend the sounds together to say the whole word.
How can I help my child with their reading?
- Read a variety of books (fiction, non-fiction, rhymes etc).
- Discuss the different features of various books.
- Talk about the books and other reading materials that you have shared.
- Explain the meaning of new words.
- Most importantly though, show the fun that can be gained by listening to stories and reading a range of texts. e.g. reading and then following a recipe together
- Don’t forget you don’t have to read just books, cereal packets, shopping lists, road signs, web pages, magazines, newspapers etc are useful ways to practise reading.
Reading at St Aloysius
Intent
At St Aloysius we aim to provide a learning environment which encourages all children to fully develop their ability to become fluent, confident readers with a wide knowledge of books and authors. We want children to appreciate how important reading is to their learning across all areas of the curriculum. We believe that through reading, children can become empowered, knowledgeable and be challenged in order to achieve.
Implementation
In EYFS and KS1, the children learn to read through our RWI phonics lessons. Daily lessons start in Reception and the children begin to recognise the single letters and the sounds that they make. When the children can blend these sounds into words, they start to read decodable books. These sessions happen daily and the children are taught in ability groups. This enables the children to have focused teaching and read books that match the sounds that they know. The children also take home decodable books to read at home. Targeted children also receive additional support in school.
In KS2, we teach reading primarily through whole class and guided reading sessions. Book Talk and Comprehension are key aspects of reading, whereby children develop a deeper understanding of the vocabulary and content they have read, through careful and planned questioning. We follow the VIPERS framework to deliver our reading sessions and focus on the following areas:
- Vocabulary
- Inference
- Prediction
- Explain
- Retrieval
- Sequencing/Summarising
Across the whole school, individual reading is also a key aspect of our approach to teaching reading. Targeted children have the opportunity to read one-to-one with an adult. Across KS2, pupils also have access to Reading Plus which is an individual reading programme that targets fluency, comprehension and vocabulary. This programme is used by children at home or in school.
Each class has its own reading area, which we aim to make as inviting and stimulating as possible, filled with books written by popular children’s authors. Within each reading area there are levelled books which children can access, alongside books of interest. There are also books available related to the current curriculum topic to extend children’s interest and knowledge. Our fabulous school library is not only filled with a wealth of books but also provides pupils with a quiet, relaxing reading space. Reading club is held weekly during lunchtimes.
School uses a range of texts for individual and guided readings, which are colour coded using book bands. They offer very specific levels and enable us to target children’s individual needs. In addition to this, the children have access to a wide range of fiction and non-fiction from both the classroom and the library collections. All year groups have a set of core books which they are expected to read or have read to them throughout each year.
Children have their own individual reading book to take home each day to practise their reading skills and share their learning with their families. A home-school reading diary is provided for each child so that teachers and parents/carers can communicate.
Impact
We feel that by using a range of fiction and non-fiction books, children are able to broaden their learning as they are being provided with a wide variety of reading experiences. We want our children to develop a love of reading throughout their time in school, so that they become life-long readers who value the power of reading and recognise its rewards. We want our children to command a rich and diverse vocabulary which allows them to speak with confidence and empower their future lives.
