Read Write Inc Phonics

What is Read Write Inc?

Read Write Inc (RWI) is a synthetic phonics programme, which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary, and spelling.  It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write. The children are assessed by the RWI lead teacher and grouped according to their ability. Small group phonics lessons are taught daily by trained staff and there are consistent expectations across the range of abilities. At the end of each half term the children are assessed to check on their progress and regrouped.

Children learn sounds in school, which help them to read and write. They then practise these skills through reading 'Book Bag Books' at home, which are specifically pitched to both consolidate learning and provide challenge in an engaging and fun way!

Sounds

In Reception, all children will learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. Those who are ready, will begin to read simple words within books and write some of these.

The children are taught the sounds in 3 sets. Set 1 Sounds?are taught in the following order together with rhymes to help children form the letters correctly and instantly recognise sounds ready for blending.

The children are then taught Set 2 Sounds – the long vowels.

When they are very confident with all Set 1 and 2, they are taught Set 3 Sounds

Fred Talk

We use 'pure sounds' (‘m’ not’ muh’,’s’ not ‘suh’, etc.) so that your child will be able to blend the sounds into words more easily. Fred is our Read, Write Inc. friend. He can only speak in sounds, so we help him learn to say words instead of sounds. For example, Fred says 'm-a-t' instead of 'mat'. We also teach him not to add 'uh' to our sounds to keep them pure. Please watch the films below to hear how to pronouce the pure sounds, as we do not teach letter names yet.

We read words by sound-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 as quickly as they can, and then blend the sounds together to say the whole word.

During the year, the children have the opportunity to use these skills to read nonsense words (alien words). We use these words to practise reading, by decoding the sounds and blending them together. The children are aware they are nonsense so they are not confused with trying to find the meaning of words. 

Spelling

Children are taught to use their Fred Fingers to help them write words. The children say the word out loud and break it down into its individual sounds. If a word has 3 sounds children hold up 3 fingers, 4 sounds 4 fingers etc. Children pinch each finger as they say the sounds needed in the word then they write the letters that represent each sound. 

Online Films

The children in Reception also have the opportunity to practise their phonics at home by watching and joining in with the online films, sent home via Tapestry, lead by the Read Write Inc team. These are sent out in accordance to when your child is ready for them and to consolidate your child's current learning at school. 

If you have further questions, Mrs Tait is our Read Write Inc Lead Teacher, so please contact the school office to speak with her.