Phonics
Phonics & Reading
At Pearson Primary School we teach phonics and reading through the Read, Write, Inc. programme (RWI). We make sure that everyone can learn to read at Pearson by adapting the delivery of the programme to suit the needs of every child. This means that some children are taught in smaller groups or one to one so that everyone can keep up and be a confident reader.
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWI) is a systematic synthetic phonics programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, we begin the programme in Nursery and will continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading.
RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin.
Pupils are formatively assessed in every lesson and summatively on a half-termly basis using the RWI assessment grids. This ensures that all pupils are in the correct groups and allows the Reading Lead and Leadership Team to monitor pupil progress.
All staff members at Pearson, including the Leadership Team, have completed the RWI training. Miss Nixon, the Lead Teacher supports the development of the scheme through observing sessions, offering guidance and creating clear next steps for the scheme at Pearson. In addition, Miss Nixon offers weekly professional development for teachers.
Children learn the English alphabetic code: first they learn one way to read the 40+ sounds and blend these sounds into words, then learn to read the same sounds with alternative graphemes. We use pure sounds (‘m’ not’ muh’, ’s’ not ‘suh’, etc.) so that your child will be able to blend the sounds into words more easily. Sounds are grouped into set 1, 2 and 3.
Children experience success from the very beginning. Engaging phonic books are closely matched to their increasing knowledge of phonics and ‘tricky’ words. Children become fluent readers through repetition of stories and having home reading books that are closely matched to their class text.
Parent Workshops
Our Early Reading and Phonics Lead holds phonics and reading workshops in September to continue to help you understand Read Write Inc and how you can support your child/ren with phonics and reading at home as they move in to their new year group.
