Here at Rotherfield children follow the Letters and Sounds scheme to learn to read and write using phonics. Phonics lessons play an essential role in reading and writing and are embedded in the curriculum from Nursery onwards. In Key Stage One, children are streamed for Phonics and their reading is assessed on a half-termly basis. This ensures targeted learning and fluid progression. The aim of Letters and Sounds is to produce competent readers who read for enjoyment and discovery about the world around us.

During Phonics lessons, children are taught to:

• learn to read and write using graphemes (letter sounds)

• decode words effortlessly, spell and handwrite

• comprehend what they read

• read with fluency and expression

• write confidently using oral rehearsal

• work effectively with talk partners to articulate their learning at every step.

Children are encouraged to use their phonic knowledge to read and write during the Literacy Hour. At the end of Year 1 children will take a National Phonics Screening Check, where their class teacher will formally assess their phonic knowledge. This is a national test that all children in year 1 will participate in. 

Useful websites

http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/reading-owl/expert-help/phonics-made-easy 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/article/the-alphablocks-guide-to-phonics 

http://www.mrthorne.com/category/start/

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/interactive/literacy.html