Phonics - Read Write Inc.
Read Write Inc.
Read Write Inc. Phonics is a highly successful literacy programme created by Ruth Miskin and published by Oxford University Press. The training and support from Ruth Miskin Training, rated ensure the programmes have the best chance of success in schools. The programme teaches children to read accurately and fluently with good comprehension. It develops a love for reading and gives each child the best chance of success. The programme shows teachers, teaching assistants and parents step-by-step how to teach all children to become fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.
For information and tutorials on how to support your child learning to read go to: http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents/
RWI in Practice
Children are taught phonics in homogenous groups, based on stage not age of reading. They receive a daily RWI lesson from Early Years through to Year 2. Half-termly assessments are carried out to ensure children are making consistent progress and grouped according to their stage, not age, of reading to ensure that they are being challenged and supported throughout the scheme. Assessments are also used to identify children who may need extra help. In Year 1, children will undertake a national phonics screening check. If they do not pass the check in Year 1, they will undertake a recheck in Year 2.
Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions as taken from the Teacher Handbook:
- Participation – As they are in small groups, children participate fully in every session. They are able to maintain high levels of concentration and they do not miss key elements of the teaching.
- Praise - Children work together as partners. They take turns to teach and praise each other. They are motivated by praise from their teachers and teaching assistants.
- Pace - Sessions never drag. The lively pace keeps every child fully engaged and on task.
- Purpose - Every teacher has been trained in Read Write Inc. methods. They know the purpose of each activity, and how it leads into the next.
- Passion - Instructors, too, become passionate about their teaching as they see the children enjoying the progress they are making.
Sounds
Through the Read Write Inc. programme, children are taught to recognise sounds and then to ‘sound-blend’ them into words for reading.
Please click on the following link to see the pronunciation of pure sounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCI2mu7URBc
Set 1 Sounds
Set 2 Sounds
Set 3 Sounds
What is the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check?
At the end of Year 1, children will undertake a statutory phonics screening check. This is a short assessment is meant to show how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned up to the end of Year 1, and to identify students who need extra phonics help. The Department for Education defines the checks as “short, light-touch assessments” that take about four to nine minutes to complete. There are 40 words in the screening check which children are asked to read on a one-to-one basis with their teacher. The check is made up of 'real words' (eg. 'mud') and 'non-words' (eg. 'splog') and children need to apply their phonic knowledge to read all words.
Preparation for the check takes place during the daily phonics session, but you can help your child at home by practising phonics on a regular basis. Here are some suggestions for activities:
- Fred Games are a fun way to practice the skill of oral blending throughout the day.
- Teach Your Monster to Read is a free website that supports learning to read at home. The website requires registration, but is free to use.
- Phonics Play has some games that are free to play online. Children have to sound out and blend words and decide whether they are alien words or real words.
More information can be found on the Government's website - https://www.gov.uk/education/phonics
Children who have not met the standard in Year 1 will retake the phonics screening check in Year 2. If children do not pass the retake in Year 2, interventions will be put in place for children in Year 3.




