Phonics and Early Reading
Little Wandle Letters and Sounds
At Herne View, 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 synthetic phonics programme. We start teaching Little Wandle Foundations in our Nursery and then, from Reception, we 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. As a result, all our children are able to tackle any unfamiliar words as they read.
Teachers and LSAs model the application of the alphabetic code through phonics and in shared reading and writing, both inside and outside of the phonics lesson and across the curriculum. We have a strong focus on language development for all our children because we know that speaking and listening are crucial skills for reading and writing in all subjects.
Phonics is taught daily for around 30mins in both Reception and Key Stage One. Any child who needs additional practice has Daily Keep-up support and is taught by a fully trained adult. Daily Keep-up lessons follow the Little Wandle progression and use the same procedures, resources and mantras, but in smaller steps with more repetition so that every child secures their learning. Once children reach Year 2 and are secure on Phase 5, they move onto the Little Wandle spelling units.
We use and teach the Little Wandle Rapid Catch Up program to children who are not at age-related expectations for reading in Key Stage Two. These short, sharp lessons last up to 20 minutes daily and have been designed to ensure children quickly catch up to age-related expectations in reading.
Early Reading
Guided Reading sessions
In School, children practise their reading in small groups with their teacher or an LSA. The children read the same book three times in a week:
The first time we work on decoding (sounding out) the words
The second time we work on prosody which is reading with expression – making the book sound more interesting with our story-teller voice or our David Attenborough voice.
The third time we look at comprehension.
We read the books three times at school because we want to develop the fluency. The more children see words, the more they begin to read them automatically without having to sound them out.
At the end of the week, children accessing the phonics programme will come home with the same book. This is so that they can continue to build on their fluency and show you what a fantastic reader they are! This book should be relatively easy for them.
From Year 2 on wards, once children have completed all Phase 5 set 5 books and pass a fluency assessment, they will no longer require decodable phonics books for home, Instead they will bring a reading book of their choice from our reading section in school.
Supporting your child with reading
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.
There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:
A reading practice book- This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
A sharing book- Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.
Reading practice book
This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s 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 – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.
Sharing book
In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.
*Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!
Click Here: Parent Page for Little Wandle
