Read Write Inc Phonics
Read Write Inc., developed by Ruth Miskin, provides a structured and systematic approach to teaching literacy. It is used by more than a quarter of the UK's primary schools and is designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.
Read Write Inc - Our Phonics Scheme
The Government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early literacy skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word.
Here at Longton Lane Primary School, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their English. RWI is a method of learning based upon letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.
Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who can read more challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out.
The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant.
Our Read Write Inc 'Reading Leader' is Miss Patino
Reading
When using RWI to read the children will:
- Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple prompts (Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3 sounds)
- Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk)
- Read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out
- Show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions
Writing
When using RWI to write, both in structured sessions and as a support during English sessions, the children will:
- Learn to write the letter/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds
- Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (Fred fingers)
Talking
When using RWI the children will also work in pairs:
- To answer questions
- To take turns talking and listening to each other
- To give positive praise to each other
Blending
Help your child learn to read words by sounding-blending (Fred talk) eg. c-a-t = cat, sh-o-p = shop. Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sounds set.
Help your child to say the pure sounds ('m' not 'muh', 's' not 'suh' etc.) as quickly as they can, and then blend the sounds together to say the whole word.
Whilst on the RWI programme children will be sent home with three books; one RWI book (based on their current RWI group), one book bag book (based on their current phonic knowledge) and one Reading for Pleasure book (to be read to or with).
Book Bag Books
Children will bring home a book bag book, this is a book based at their current phonics level or a ‘book banded’ book – these could be RWI Book Bag books, Oxford Reading Tree, Collins Big Cat, Songbirds, Usbourne Readers or Maverick Early Readers. All books have been analysed and grouped according to phonetic ability. Where books have a red words written on the front, these are 'tricky' words to discuss with your child prior to reading. These stories should encourage your child to apply their phonics knowledge, reading strategy skills and knowledge of ‘tricky’ and high frequency words.
Read Write Inc Books
Please encourage your child to read though the speed sounds page first, then the green and red words page and then check your child understands the meaning of words on the vocabulary check page, before they start reading the book. At the back of the book are questions for you to do with your child. These books will be inline with your child's current phonics group in school.
Reading for Pleasure Books
Reading for Pleasure books are books that will be given out on a Monday and asked to be returned on a Friday. These are books that have been specifically chosen for your child to read with you at home. It is often nice to take it in turns to read or read these books to your child.
At the beginning of each academic year children will be issued with a ‘Reading Passport’. This is a list of books specifically chosen for you to share with your child. Some of these will be available through your child’s ‘Reading for Pleasure’ books that are send home, whilst others may need a trip to your local library. There are also lots of these books online for your child to read and listen to.
Finally, don't worry if your child is struggling at first with their sounds and words, they will get there in their own time. If you have time (we know it is very precious!), we would urge you to try and read stories to your child before they go to bed. This will help develop a wider vocabulary which makes a vast difference to their quality of writing but it will also encourage them to enjoy a good story.
For more information please ask your child’s class teacher, Miss Patino or visit the links below:
https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/