Phonics
At Luton Primary, we use a phonic programme called Sounds-Write. Sounds-Write is a very highly structured, multi-sensory, incremental and code-oriented, instructional approach to teaching children to read and spell. It is taught whole class so that every child has the chance to achieve their full potential. If a child starts to display misconceptions or gaps in learning, interventions are delivered to ensure these are addressed. Children at Luton thoroughly enjoy their phonic lessons as they are given the scaffolds they need to be successful in every lesson.
Sound-Write's structure and simplicity makes it a programme accessible to all learners and helps them to make excellent progress with their reading and spelling. It promotes the use of multi-sensory engagement with the materials appropriate to the level and abilities of the children being taught. Visual, auditory and kinaesthetic activities are at all times combined simultaneously to promote learning. In addition to being multi-sensory, the Sounds-Write programme has pace and utilises an array of stimulating lessons and resources. It also enables teachers to differentiate the challenges placed before the learner in order to meet their individual needs.
Scan the QR code below to visit the Sounds-Write website:
The four key concepts children are taught are:
1. letters are symbols that represent sounds
2. sounds can be spelled using 1, 2, 3 or 4 letters
3. the same sound can be spelled in different ways
4. the same spelling can represent different sounds
The three key skills children need to master are:
1. blending
2. segmenting
3. phoneme manipulation
Children in our Foundation Stage begin with the Initial Code where they practice all 3 key skills whilst learning the 1:1 sound-spelling correspondences and securing their understanding of key concept 1. This builds up confidence and phonic knowledge in a truly reversible system, enabling them to decode and encode a wide range of words and sentences. At first, children learn to read and write simple one syllable words with a CVC structure. Complexity of word structure systematically builds up so that children apply their code knowledge to monosyllabic words with up to 6 sounds. If you would like more information, the document below outlines what we cover during the children's Reception year:
Once the Initial Code has been mastered, children continue to practice all 3 key skills whilst learning Extended Code which explores key concepts 2, 3 and 4. Learning of the Extended Code is a lifelong process – we all continue to develop our understanding of this code whenever we encounter new words. Which is why Sounds Write can be applied right up to the end of KS2. Whilst learning the Extended Code, children read and write monosyllabic and polysyllabic words at an age-appropriate level. Lesson Structure A typical Sounds Write lesson is broken up into 3 parts. If you would like more information, the document below outlines what we cover during KS1:
All children in Reception and KS1 have a 30 minute phonics lesson daily.
Children in KS2 practise spellings through Spelling Shed daily.