Phonics and Reading

'The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn the more places you'll go.' - Dr Seuss.

At Kiwi Primary School we follow the Little Wandle Systematic Synthetics Phonics (SSP) programme.

Why learning to read is so important

Reading is essential for all subject areas and improves life chances.
Positive attitudes to reading and choosing to read have academic, social and emotional benefits for children.

How children learn to read

Phonics is the only route to decoding.
Learning to say the phonic sounds.

By blending phonic sounds to read words.
Increasing the child’s fluency in reading sounds, words and books.

Reading fully decodable books

Children must read books consistent with their phonic knowledge.
It is essential not to use other strategies to work out words (including guessing words, deducing meaning from pictures, grammar, context clues or whole word recognition).  
Books must be fully decodable and follow the Little Wandle scheme.
Children need to read books in a progressive sequence until they can decode unfamiliar words confidently.

The role of parents and carers 

Have a positive impact on their child’s reading.
Should model the importance of reading practice to develop fluency.
Children take home books they have read at school to re-read at home to build fluency.
There are two different types of books that pupils bring home: reading practice and books to share for pleasure.
Reading at home encourages a love of books, along with developing vocabulary and discussion.

Parents should use voices, expression, discuss unfamiliar vocabulary, talk about the pictures, and predict what might happen next.
Give positive yet informative feedback in the home reading diary at least 3 times a week.

Kiwi Reading Offer

Please see below for our reading offer at Kiwi Primary School.

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A reading practice book.

This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.  

A sharing book.  Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Programme Overview

(need to upload link from LW)

Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 1

This Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 1 video is designed to be shared with families by schools using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZtjFIvA_fs

Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 2

This Phase 2 sounds taught in Reception Autumn 2 video is designed to be shared with families to help them to support learning at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDu3JAjf-U0

Phase 3 sounds taught in Reception Spring 1

This Phase 3 sounds taught in Reception Spring 1 video is designed to be shared with families to help them support the learning at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvOuc7cWXxc

How we teach blending

This How we teach blending video is designed to be shared with families by schools using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL5YUCPyC5I

Quick guide to Alien words

This Alien words video is designed to be shared with families by schools using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised complete phonics programme.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtoJZMVgy1I

How we teach tricky words

This explanation of tricky words video is designed to be shared with families by schools using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTC0PbtmeUA

Reading Across the School

We use the Collins Big Cat reading scheme books so children have access to a range of fiction and non-fiction texts which are closely matched to their reading and comprehension age. Children can progress through the colour banded books at their own speed until they become ‘free readers’. Each class has a carefully selected range of books available for children to choose from. In KS2 you will find these books in the class book corners. In KS1 books are made accessible around the classroom for children to 'bump' into throughout the day during continuous provision time. Additionally every class has a weekly opportunity to visit the library and select a book of their choice. Children have daily opportunities to read independently and to listen to a book being read aloud by an adult.

Tips for reading at home:

To help develop fluency, listen to your child read frequently. This can mean they re-read the same section of text to build confidence, or read alongside you if they need more support.
Read aloud to your child so they are exposed to a range of genres and have good reading role-models.
Talk about books – ask lots of questions about the book your child is reading.

For example:

Can you summarise the most important events so far?

What do you think will happen….?

Who is your favourite character? Why?

How do you think ….. is feeling in this part of the story? How do you know?

Are there any new words you would like to talk about?

Does this remind you of any other stories/books we have read?

Reading resources

Click here for information on our reading challenges and where to access reading materials.

Please see the parents guide to Collins Hub below

Year 6 recommended reads checklist

Year 5 recommended reads checklist