Phonics
Our Phonics Leader is:
Mrs Bunniss
Children begin to learn phonics (sounds) in Reception. Once children begin learning sounds, these sounds are used orally to blend together to make words. The first initial sounds that the children are taught are ‘s’, ‘a’, ‘t’, ‘p’, ‘i’, ‘n’. These can immediately be blended for reading to make simple VC words (vowel, consonant such as ‘at’, ‘it’, ‘in’) and CVC words (consonant, vowel, consonant such as ‘sat’, ‘pin’) Children then develop segmenting skills needed for writing; breaking the word into sounds to spell it out.
How is Phonics Taught?
Children in Early Years and Key Stage One as well as identified children in Key Stage Two have a discrete phonics lesson every day from 9:05 - 9:30. They then apply these skills during English lessons and in other areas of the Curriculum. At Stanton Primary School we follow the Twinkl DfE validated phonics scheme.
More information on the Twinkl Phonics Scheme can be found here.
Pupils are taught in the following format:
Review & Revisit
Teach
Practise
Apply
We use pure sounds (‘m’ not ‘muh’) so that your child will be able to blend the sounds into words more easily. We use finger phonics and sound buttons to help the children to hear and say the sounds in words.
Please click here for a video demonstrating how we pronounce each sound.
The videos below show how we use sound buttons and finger phonics.
Children will be taught in levels. Levels 1-4 will generally be taught in Reception. Level 5 generally taught in Year One and Level 6 generally taught in Year Two.
Click here to find more information on the Twinkl Levels.
How Can You Help at Home?
Read your child’s reading book with them regularly. They will bring home both phonic and non-phonic based reading books.
The following websites are websites that we use in school that have some great activities and games on for your child to practise their phonic skills at home.
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ (This can also be downloaded as an app on a phone or tablet.)
https://new.phonicsplay.co.uk/
https://www.phonicsbloom.com/uk/game/list/phonics-games-phase-2
https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/twinkl-phonics/level-2-twinkl-phonics
Year 1 Phonics Screening
What is the Phonics Screening Check?
Children in Year 1 throughout the country will all be taking part in a phonics screening check during the same week in June. Children in Year 2 will also take the check if they did not achieve the required result when in Year 1 or they have not taken the test before. The phonics screening check is designed to show how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned up to the end of Year 1, and to identify children who need extra phonics help.
Click here for more information.
What Happens During the Screening?
The test contains 40 words. Each child will sit one-to-one and read each word aloud to a teacher. The test will take approximately 10 minutes per child, although all children are different and will complete the check at their own pace. The 40 words and pseudo words (nonsense words) are divided into two sections, one with simple word structures of three or four letters, and one with more complex word structures of five or six letters. The teacher administering the check with your child will give them a few practice words to read first, including some nonsense words, so they understand more about what they have to do. Each of the nonsense words is presented with a picture of an alien, as if the word were their name (and so your child doesn't think the word is a mistake because it doesn't make sense!).
Practise games can be found here.
What Are Pseudo Words (nonsense words)?
Pseudo words (nonsense words) are a collection of letters that will follow the phonics rules your child has been taught, but don’t mean anything. Your child will need to read these with the correct sounds to show that they understand the phonics rules behind them. Pseudo words are included because they will be new to all pupils; they do not favour children with a good vocabulary knowledge or visual memory of words.
Reporting to Parents
By the end of the summer term each child’s results will be reported to their parents. The school will also confirm if your child has met the standard threshold. Children who do not achieve the expected level will retake the test when they are in Year 2.
We are really proud of our phonics results!! Please click below to see a letter from the Rt Hon Nick Gibb, Ministry of State for School Standards.
