Phonics & Early Reading

At Martongate, we believe that learning to read is the key that unlocks the whole curriculum. We are committed to ensuring that all children become confident, fluent readers as early as possible. 

Phonics is taught daily throughout EYFS and Key Stage 1 using the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised phonics programme. This systematic, synthetic phonics programme is fully aligned with the national curriculum and supports children to develop strong early reading and writing skills.

All staff in EYFS and Key Stage 1 have received extensive training and support using this resource to maximise progress and develop confident readers and writers.  Little Wandle sets out a detailed and systematic programme for teaching phonic skills for children starting by the age of five, with the aim of them becoming fluent readers by age seven. Based upon the latest research, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds ensures learning stays in children’s long term memory and enables children to apply their learning to become highly competent readers.

Within our daily phonics sessions, children are taught to:

• Recognise and say the sounds (phonemes) in spoken words

• Understand how these sounds are represented by letters (graphemes)

• Blend sounds to read words

• Segment words to support spelling and writing

The structure of a phonics session at Martongate

Each Little Wandle phonics session follows a consistent structure to support learning and retention. Sessions are split into three distinct parts: revisit and review; teach and practise; then practice and apply. 

1. Revisit and Review: Children revisit previously taught sounds and tricky words to build fluency and confidence. This ensures learning is reinforced and embedded over time.

2. Teach and Practise: New phonemes and graphemes are introduced. Children learn the correct pronunciation, formation and key vocabulary associated with each sound. They then practise reading and saying these sounds in words.

3. Practise and Apply: Children apply their new learning by reading words and simple sentences before practising writing words and sentences through dictation - this helps to strengthen the link between reading and writing.

Reading

Our children read fully decodable books that are carefully matched to their current phonics knowledge. Reading practice sessions take place regularly in school and are designed to develop:

• Accuracy

• Fluency

• Prosody (expression and understanding)

Children take part in three adult-led reading groups, using the same decodable book, in school each week. The first session focuses on accuracy and decoding. The second session is based on reading for meaning and prosody. The third session is a comprehension focus using the dialogic talk model to explore the book further. These books are also sent home so that children can practise reading with confidence and success. Once children have completed the Little Wandle Phase 5 decodable books they then progress to the Martongate school Reading Scheme.

How can I support my child at home?

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home. There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

• A reading practice book. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
• A sharing book. Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please do not worry that it is too easy - your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book and remember to give them lots of praise - celebrate their success! If they cannot read a word, read it to them. It is very beneficial to talk about the book once you have finished reading it with your child: this is the early stages of comprehension.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you should not expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them, discuss the pictures and enjoy the story. You may wish to predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters or explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that your child has fun!

If you would like any more information, or require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Resources

The resources on this page will help you support your child with their phonetic sounds and writing letters. There are also some useful videos so you can see how your child is taught at school; hopefully, allowing you to feel confident when supporting their reading at home.