How we teach Reading

At Milton we follow the Read Write Inc programme for teaching sounds and reading. The information below will provide you with further details about what the programme involves.

What is Read Write Inc?

Read Write Inc is a fully integrated reading and writing programme, firmly based in synthetic phonics. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word. These words are embedded in lovely stories so children can read books independently.

Aims We aim to teach children to:

• Apply the skill of blending phonemes in order to read words.
• Segment words into their constituent phonemes in order to spell words.
• Learn that blending and segmenting words are reversible processes.
• Read high frequency words that do not conform to regular phonic patterns
• Read texts and words that are within their phonic capabilities as early as possible.
• Decode texts effortlessly so all their resources can be used to comprehend what they read.
• Spell effortlessly so that all their resources can be directed towards composing their writing.

Delivery of Phonics

• Set 1 (initial sounds) are to be taught in a specific order.
• Sounds taught should be ‘pure’ sounds i.e. ‘b’, not ‘buh’ as this is key to the ability to recognise sounds in words and to blend sounds together in order to read words.
• Set 2 sounds are to be taught after Set 1 (initial sounds).
• Letter names are to be introduced with Set 3.

EYFS: We believe in a making a strong start in EYFS through small groups and 1-1 quality first teaching. Once your child is baselined, the class teacher and phonics lead will make the decision whether your child will start on the RWI programme in EYFS or if they will work on pre phonics skills such as environmental sounds, nursery rhymes and engagement sessions.

Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key stage 3: Read Write Inc groups will be set following assessments carried out by the RWI phonics lead or tutor. The sessions will occur daily starting with 20 minute sessions and these will be built up during the academic year. These sessions will consist of a 10 minute ‘Speed Sounds’ session followed by ‘Reading’ the core story books. Once children have completed the RWI programme they will then access

Fresh Start is a systematic synthetic phonics programme for struggling readers aged 9 – 13+. Pupils are taught at their challenge point, so they learn to read accurately and fluently in just 25 minutes a day.

Fresh Start is for students who:

• are not yet reading age appropriately
• have missed schooling or are late arrivals into school
• are new to the UK education system
• are learning English as an additional language.