Read Write Inc
Read Write Inc - Our Phonics Scheme
The Government strongly recommend the use of synthetic phonics when teaching early literacy skills to children. Synthetic phonics is simply the ability to convert a letter or letter group into sounds that are then blended together into a word. Here at the YWCPS, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWInc) programme to get children off to a flying start with their reading journey. Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader and a good reader becomes an excellent learner!
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWInc) is a phonics complete literacy 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. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, at YWCPS we begin the programme in Nursery and will continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading.
You can find further information about the programme here:
How will RWInc be taught?
All children are assessed regularly by our RWI lead teacher. They are then grouped according to their ability so they work with children at the same level. This allows complete participation in lessons. They will work with a RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant.
Nursery
When appropriate, children will be introduced to the initial sounds in short sessions.
Reception
In Reception all children will learn how to read the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. Throughout the programme sounds are taught in 3 sets. The website below is a fantastic guide for parents about the phonics sounds and the order they are taught. There are also some really useful resources found here.
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/
It is important children pronounce sounds correctly in order for them to be successful with blending. We call these ‘pure’ sounds.
Follow the link below for support on how to pronounce some of the sounds taught.
Reading
The children will:
- learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts – see below
- learn to read words using Fred talk and sound blending
- read from a range of storybooks and non-fictions books matched to their phonic knowledge
- work well with partners
- develop comprehension skills in stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It' discussion questions
Writing
The children will:
- learn to write and form the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds with the help of fun phrases
- learn to write words by using Fred Talk
- learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before they write
Talking
The children will:
- work in pairs so that they:
- answer every question
- practise every activity with their partner
- take turns in talking and reading to each other
- develop ambitious vocabulary
Year One & Year Two
Children follow the same format as Reception but will work on complex sounds and read books appropriate to their reading level. Daily sessions of RWI phonics last for one hour. Once children come to the end of the RWInc programme and have become fluent speedy readers they will move into a literacy group.
Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions:
Purpose – know the purpose of every activity and share it with the children, so they know the one thing they should be thinking about
Participation – ensure every child participates throughout the lesson. Partnership work is fundamental to learning
Praise – ensure children are praised for effort and learning, not ability
Pace – teach at an effective pace and devote every moment to teaching and learning
Passion – be passionate about teaching so children can be engaged emotionally.
Nonsense words (Alien words)
As well as learning to read and blend real words children will have plenty of opportunities to apply their sound recognition skills on reading ‘Nonsense words’. These words will also feature heavily in the Year One Phonics Screening check in the summer term. People often ask why we want children to read ‘alien’ words. When children are learning to read they will often come across unfamiliar words. These words are ‘alien’ to them until they have experienced and understood them. If children can successfully apply their decoding and blending skills to words which are complete nonsense then they will have more success when reading a range of new texts. 
Phonics Screening Check Year One
What is the Year 1 phonics screening check?
The Year 1 phonics screening check is a short assessment carried out in the summer term to confirm whether individual pupils have learnt phonic decoding to an appropriate standard.
It will identify the children who need extra help so they are given further support to improve their reading skills. They will then be able to retake the check in Year 2.
Find more information here
Useful websites for Parents
Please find a list of websites that you may find useful in helping you and your child learn about phonics. Games and fun activity websites are also included.
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
https://www.jollylearning.co.uk/resource-bank/
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/5-7-years/letters-and-sounds
http://www.familylearning.org.uk/phonics_games.html
https://letters-and-sounds.com/index.php/phase-2-games/
https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/literacy.html
https://www.teachyourmonster.org/
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/literacy/literacy-phonics
If you have any further questions regarding RWInc or your child’s progress through the programme, please speak to your child’s class teacher or Mrs John (RWInc and KS1 Reading Lead)
We are a “Get Reading. Keep Reading. Change Everything.” school.
We use the highly successful Read Write Inc. Phonics programme to teach our children to read, write and spell. Our children do well in the phonics screening check and by Year 2, the majority are fluent readers with the best chance of success in the KS1 tests.
Ruth Miskin Training recognise us for teaching the programme with fidelity and passion – we know what it takes to make reading and writing pleasurable and rewarding for our children.
This badge recognises that we:
Raise standards in reading and writing for our children
Are all expertly trained by Ruth Miskin Training – including our headteacher Mr Turner
Gain the latest programme updates through regular visits from our Ruth Miskin Consultant Trainer
Support our most vulnerable readers with extra one-to-one teaching every day.
To visit the parent pages on the Ruth Miskin Training website go to: https://ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents/
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