Read Write Inc & Home Reading Books
At Norham St Ceolwulf's we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning centred round letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.
Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out.
Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.
When using RWI to read the children will:
- learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
- learn to read words using Fred Talk
- read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
- show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions.
When using RWI to write the children will:
- learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent 44 sounds.
- learn to write words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk
- write simple sentences
Each week children accessing the RWInc scheme in school will recieve a home reader specifically designed for the set of sounds they are learning at the time. The books are designed to build confidence and fluency, so developing young readers skills and knowledge. In addition like all other children they will recieve a mediated home reader from the Oxford Tree Scheme, this again will contain the some of the sounds they are learning, but will also have other sounds. The mediated book is designed to read with the support of an adult, thereby allowing the child to see the value of reading and enjoy the learning experience with family.
Please click on the link below to view a parent introduction to phonics:
Please click on the link below to view a video explaining how we use Read Write Inc to teach phonics:
Understanding Phonics Tutorial
Please click on the link below to view a video showing the correct pronunciations of Set 1, 2 and 3 sounds:
Norham St Ceolwulf's Reading Scheme
Norham St Ceolwulf's uses the Oxford Reading Tree reading scheme. Children are regularly assessed, to ensure that they are reading the correct stage book. This enables staff to ensure that the pace of reading is correct and that there is sufficient challenge to help progress pupil’s reading fluency. Children in Key Stage One are given a reading book to take home regularly and have a reading diary which is a home /school link to allow parents to support their child at home. As children progress later in the school and their reading ability develops, they ay are able to access a range of texts within the school library to continue their reading development.
Oxford Reading Tree is a Character led sequence of books which follow the lives and adventures of the central characters Biff, Chip, Kipper and Floppy. The initial levels are phonetically structured. The controlled vocabulary increasingly introduces more complex vocabulary as the scheme progresses. The adventures and predicaments that the central characters find themselves in allow the reader to think about and engage with the characters and ask questions about the stories.
If you require any further information about Phonics or Oxford Reading Tree please contact your class teacher.