Reading is one of the most important skills that children will ever acquire. In the National Curriculum, reading is integral to ‘the teaching of every subject’ and gives children ‘a chance to develop culturally, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually’.

At Stanwix School, we believe that all our children can become fluent readers and writers. This is why we teach reading through Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, which is a systematic and synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching phonics in Reception and follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised progression, which ensures children build on their growing knowledge of the alphabetic code, mastering phonics to read and spell as they move through school.

Phonics

In Reception and Year 1, our pupils are taught Phonics for around 20 minutes each day. We also support any children who need additional practise with short Keep Up Sessions throughout the week.

The resources on this page will help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how they are taught at school and feel confident about supporting their reading at home.

Resources to support your child at home:

These four videos show you how to pronounce the sounds. Notice how the children don’t add an ‘uh’ sound at the end, so they say: ‘t’ not ‘tuh’.

In school reading practice sessions are:

• Timetabled throughout the week.
• Taught by a trained teacher or teaching assistant.
• Taught in small groups.

The children read the same book throughout the week. The first time, we work on decoding (sounding out) the words; the second time, we focus on prosody (which is reading with expression and using our storyteller voice); and finally we look at comprehension. We read the same book throughout the week to develop the children’s fluency.

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. Children in Reception, Year 1, some year 2 and some junior children will bring home two types of reading book:

1. The reading practice book: Collins Big Cat Phonics for Little Wandle:

Your child should be able to read this fluently and independently. This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current phonic stage based on recent assessments and they have practised reading it in school. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it is ‘too easy’; your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise and celebrate their success! If they cannot read a word, read it to them. After they have finished reading, talk about the book together.

2. Sharing books: for example, Oxford Reading Tree, Songbirds, Bug Club or Library book:

If children are to become lifelong readers, it is essential that they are encouraged to read for pleasure. To help foster a love of reading, children will choose a book to share and enjoy with you at home. Please note, there is no expectation for your child to read this book independently. The book is for you to read to or with your child. Again, it is good to talk to your child about the book. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters and explore facts in non-fiction books. The main thing is that you have fun!