Phonics Parents’ Workshop

What is Phonics? Children have 30mins daily discrete phonics lessons, in nursery to year 2 Children are taught to read by breaking down words into separate sounds or ‘phonemes’. They are then taught how to blend these sounds together to read the whole word; There are around 40 different sounds.

From nursery to year 2 the children will work their way from phase 1 to phase 6. Phase 1 in nursery will focus on sounds and beats. Nursery rhymes would be a great practise- they move into phase 2 in summer. Phase 2 is then continued into reception. This consists of individual sounds. They will then focus on phase 3 and 4. Double sounds. In year 1, they consolidate phase 4 and step into phase 5. At the end of year 1, they will have a phonics screening check . In year 2, there is a revision of phase 5 and then they move into phase 6, which is mostly grammar based.

What we do Everyday, your child will take part in a phonics lesson. This will consist of a review, a teaching focus, a practise together and then a short application part. Children also practise their phonics by playing games. What is in the box, puppet talk, find the picture to match the word and phonics bingo. The children particularly like online activities - Phonics Play – Buried Treasure or Picnic on Pluto Geraldine the Giraffe

Sound buttons rain bright witch portrait The children use the sound button to say each sound. Have a go? Sound buttons rain bright They also use robot to make it more fun. Ask them to show you. witch portrait AG

Trash and treasure

How you can help at home. Youtube has the songs which will help you as an adult hear the sound. You can then practise by singing a couple most nights. There are also fantastic websites below. Phonics play.co.uk Youtube: Phase 2 and 3 sound songs Mr Thorne does phonics app or on youtube starfall.co.uk

What is the challenge? Every Year 1 child in the country will be taking a statutory phonics screening check in the same week. The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonics lessons. The focus of the check is to provide evidence of children’s decoding and blending skills, not to test their vocabulary.

What will the children do? They will be asked to ‘sound out’ a word and blend the sounds together. e.g. d-o-g – dog The check will consist of 40 words and non-words; Children will be told if the word is a real or ‘alien’ word, with a corresponding alien image.

Examples of words

How will they be tested? Teachers will complete the check with the children one to one The children will complete the check in a quiet area of the school We are not allowed to say to the children at the time whether they have correctly sounded out and / or blended the word.

And the results...? Children will be scored against a national standard. We will let you know if they fall below or within this standard, and all children will receive a certificate for taking part. If your child’s score falls below the national standard they can re-take the Phonics Screening Check in year 2.

Questions? Please do come in and ask the teachers or Miss Harvey for extra training or guidance.