Phonics and Early Reading

At Eagley Infants, we use the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to teach phonics and early reading.

Phonics helps children learn to read by teaching them the relationship between letters and the sounds they represent. Children learn to recognise sounds, blend them together to read words, and apply their phonics knowledge when reading and writing.

Our aim is for every child to become a confident, fluent and enthusiastic reader

Phonics is taught systematically and progressively, so that children build on their knowledge and skills each day.

During phonics lessons, children learn:

• The sounds represented by letters and groups of letters.
• How to pronounce sounds correctly.
• How to blend sounds together to read words.
• How to segment words into sounds for spelling.
• How to read and spell words containing the sounds they have learned.
• Common exception words and tricky words that cannot always be read using regular phonics patterns.

Lessons are engaging, practical and carefully structured to help children remember and apply their learning.

Alongside their phonics lessons, children have regular opportunities to practise reading books that are carefully matched to the sounds they have been taught.

Children read the same book several times during the week, developing different skills each time. This repeated reading helps children to:

• Develop accuracy when reading.
• Build fluency and confidence.
• Develop expression and understanding.
• Read unfamiliar words using their phonics knowledge.
• Enjoy success as readers.

Because the books are matched to the phonics children have already learned, they can read them independently and experience the confidence that comes from being able to read successfully.

How you can help at home

Parents and carers play a very important role in supporting children’s reading development.

You can help by:

• Listening to your child read regularly.
• Encouraging your child to use their phonics when reading unfamiliar words.
• Practising the sounds your child has been learning.
• Talking to your child about the meaning of new words.
• Reading stories, books and other texts together for pleasure.
• Asking questions about what your child has read.
• Encouraging your child to spot sounds and words in everyday life.

Most importantly, make reading enjoyable. Sharing stories, talking about books and developing a love of reading are just as important as practising phonics.

Little Wandle Overview Reception -Year 1

Pronunciation Guides Autumn

Capital Letter Formation

Reception Sounds

Year 1 Sounds

Phase 3 Sounds

Year 2 Tricky Words

Writing

At Eagley Infants, we believe that every child can become a confident and enthusiastic writer. We want children to see writing as a way to share their ideas, express their feelings, communicate with others and make sense of the world around them.

From the beginning of their school journey, children are given opportunities to develop a love of language and to understand that their words and ideas matter. We provide a rich environment where children are encouraged to talk, imagine, create and write for a range of purposes and audiences.

Our writing curriculum is carefully sequenced so that children build on their knowledge and skills as they move through the school. Children are given regular opportunities to practise and apply their learning in meaningful contexts.

We celebrate children’s writing and encourage them to take pride in their achievements. We want our classrooms to be places where children feel safe to have a go, make mistakes, improve and try again.

Love of Reading

At Eagley Infants, we believe that every child should develop a lifelong love of reading. Reading opens the door to imagination, knowledge, creativity and understanding, and we want every child to discover the joy that books can bring.

We aim to create a rich reading culture where children are surrounded by wonderful books, inspiring stories, poetry, rhymes and opportunities to talk about what they have read. From the moment children join us, we want them to see themselves as readers and to feel excited about choosing, sharing and exploring books.

Through our reading curriculum, children encounter a wide range of authors, illustrators and genres, helping to broaden their knowledge and develop their imagination.

Reading for pleasure is at the heart of our school.

Every day, children have opportunities to enjoy books beyond their formal reading lessons. Adults share stories, poems and rhymes with the children, and we encourage children to talk about what they enjoy reading.

We want children to experience the magic of being lost in a story, to laugh at funny characters, wonder what might happen next and become fascinated by new ideas and information.

Our Eagley community works together to promote reading, because we know that children who develop a love of reading are more likely to become confident and enthusiastic readers throughout their lives.