Phonics

Phonics is taught as a way of decoding written letters and spoken sounds in the early stages of learning to read.

At Fishponds CE Primary School, we teach phonics using a systematic, synthetic approach that is both multi-sensory and engaging! Phonics teaching begins in the EYFS and we use the government-recommended 'Letters and Sounds' sequence of learning alongside 'Jolly Phonics' to teach Phonics.

This teaches children to read and write by blending and segmenting the sounds in words alongside learning a variety high-frequency words by sight.

Top Tip for learning sounds and key words!

These skills can take a lot of practice! So our top tip would be little, often and fun!

Little: no more than 5 to 10 minutes of practice

Often: try to practice every day and fit it into your daily routine. It could be on your way to school, before bed or on the bus!

Fun! Try to make it as fun as possible as children learn best this way. If you need ideas, feel free to ask your teacher!

Phonics Screening Check

In 2011-12 the government introduced the Year One Phonics Screening Check. The screening is a statutory check of a child's understanding of phonics. The check combines a mixture of real and nonsense words, which the children read using all their phonic knowledge. This takes place at the end of Year One. An example of the check published by the Department for Education can be found below: 

Sample Phonics Screening Material

Meetings:

EYFS October Meeting Reception reading meeting Oct 2019.pdf

EYFS February Meeting

Year 1 Phonics Meeting

Resources:

If you would like any resources to support your child at home, please ask your class teacher or the school’s Phonics Lead.

Websites

Phonics Pronunciation Video - This video demonstrates how to pronounce pure sounds and the corresponding 'Jolly Phonics' actions

www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ParentsMenu - This website has lots of interactive phonics games, activities, ideas and resources to help your child learn to hear, recognise and read different sounds and words including nonsense words

http://www.ictgames.com  - This website also lots of phonics games, activities, ideas and resources which match to an objective. They will help your child with learning to recognise and read different sounds and words