1. Letters and Sounds
Reception

2. Phases
Phase 1 – Listening to sounds around the room, making sounds using instruments/body parts. Phase 2 – Learning to recognise, say and write alphabet sounds (graphemes) and use them in words. 6 ‘tricky’ words. Phase 3 – Learning to recognise, say and write digraphs and trigraphs and use them to read, build, speak and write words. 12 tricky words. Phase 4 – Using the sounds they know Phase 3 to build and write their own words. Spelling tricky words, pronouncing CCvC (eg grip) and CvCC (eg camp) words.

3. Phase 2
Sounds Trickies Decodables s a t p I pin sat tan i n m d no dog cat g o c k go mug kit ck e u to duck rag ten r h b l into ham big f ll ff ss the fit cuff hiss

4. you are all my was they her
Phase 3
Sounds
j v w x y z zz ng qu
sh ch th/th
ai ee igh oa oo oo ar or ur ow oi ear air ure er
Trickies
he we me
she be
you are all my was they her
Decodables
with
then
down
they
now
look
for
them
too
will
see
this
that

5. Technical terms

6. Building, reading and writing words. Blending and Segmenting
Build a word that is spoken by an adult, eg cart, chain, with, chip, sure using letters.
Read a word that is written by tracing their finger along it, saying each sound as
they move along the word eg a sentence Fish and chip shop.
Think of five words with eg the ‘ai’ sound in and write it (for each sound).
To write a word that an adult has spoken, either as a whole word or as sounds,
so adult may say ‘Can you write ch/i/p and tell me what it says?’ or they may say
‘Can you write chip? What sounds will you need?

7. Trickies
Are just learnt by sight as they can’t be sound-talked, eg ‘the’ – flashcards and pair match games are best to learn these. Decodables – can be sounded out and can therefore by learnt by reading or writing the words.

8. Phase 4
Recap all Phase 3 sounds. Spell tricky words correctly, all Phase 3 and all phase 4. To read, say and write words beginning with CC or ending with CC eg. grip or tent To practise reading and writing sentences with Phase 3 sounds in. To learn tricky words said, so, have, like, some, come, were, there, little, one, do, when, out, what.

9. Fun games and activities
Word sliders Twister cups

10. Say it, sound it, write it! Magnetic letter sets
Word twister eggs Lolly stick snap, pair match,
bingo, word hunt in books.

12. Usual Progression
Secure Phase 2 by December (recognise all Phase 2 sounds, segment, blend, read and begin to write CVC words and know trickies)
Secure Phase 3 by March (recognise all Phase 3 sounds, segment, blend, read and write CvC words containing digraphs and trigraphs and know trickies)
Entering/mid Phase 4 by July (be able to write Phase 3 tricky words from memory, start to use consonant blends in their writing)

16. Useful Websites
For great online interactive games: For fabulous flashcards: For perfect printables: For word cards and sound mats: For kids – Phase 2 Jolly Phonics Songs in correct order For Parents and Carers – Phase 2 Sounds – How to say them correctly! The official Government Letters and Sounds documents: