Phonics, Reading and Spelling .
Our school philosophy is to instil a passion for reading. Children are encouraged to develop a love of reading and this starts with the staff’s positive appreciation and love of books through a class read. We promote reading for pleasure as well as reading for learning. Children are often heard having reading conversations with staff and with one another and are delighted to try new books recommended to them. Literacy topics are based in and around a book and parents often enquire about the books the children are enjoying. Children receive books for prizes, have author days and enjoy a story at the end of the day. Reading is BIG here!
At Altham St. James we use the Read, Write Inc. Phonics Programme followed by the Read, Write Inc. Spelling Programme.
Read Write Inc., Phonics is an inclusive literacy programme for all children learning to read. It teaches synthetic phonics. Children learn the 44 common sounds in the English language and how to blend them to read and spell. The scheme includes both a reading and a writing focus. Reading is the key that unlocks the whole curriculum so the ability to efficiently decode is essential. The R.W.I sessions are expected to occur each day with no exceptions, as the continuity and pace of the programme is key to accelerating the progress of children’s reading development.
For more information please click on the link below.
Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation
Spelling
Both KS1 and KS2 follow the
Read Write Inc. Spelling resource, which
is up to a 30-minute-a-day programme for Years 2 to 6.
Grammar and Punctuation
This is taught both within reading and writing lessons and as stand alone lessons. R.W.I., Headstart and other resources are used to support teaching.
Writing
Reception and Year 1
Writing at R and Y1 is included in the daily RWI session, it includes handwriting, ‘hold the sentence’ – dictation, spelling and at Y1 and later FS, short pieces of independent writing based upon the texts read that week.
In Year 2, the children follow the Read, Write Inc, language and literacy programme. This teaches the children to read, write and discuss texts. It uses a mixture of written stories and non-fiction texts and includes the teaching of comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.
From Key Stage Two more formal opportunities to attempt a variety of styles of writing for various audiences are planned (either as a stand alone activity or in association with other activities in the curriculum), and children may be required to write drafts, redrafts and do final copies.
In KS2 our children continue to learn that there are different reasons for writing and to match the style to the purpose. A rolling programme of different genres is taught. Each unit of work usually begins with looking at an example text and studying their content and features. The children are then required to plan, write and edit their work.
