Read Write Inc Progression term by term

Early Reading at Summer Lane Primary School

At Summer Lane Primary School, we believe that reading is key for academic success and progress across the curriculum. We provide children with a systematic structured scheme, Read, Write, Inc. Read Write Inc. Phonics is a DfE validated Systematic Synthetic Phonics programme with a whole school approach to teaching early reading and writing, designed to ensure progress for every child. Integrated comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and handwriting means that Read Write Inc. is more than just a phonics programme and helps develop key literacy skills for every child.

When using RWI to read the children will:

• Learn that sounds are represented by written letters
• Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
• Learn how to blend sounds and read words using Fred Talk
• Learn that some tricky words can’t be read using Fred Talk – these are Red Words (you can’t Fred a Red)
• Read fun and lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
• Show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions and discussing the text

When using RWI to write the children will:

• Learn to write the letters/letter groups which represent 44 sounds.
• Learn to spell words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk
• Write simple sentences

Read, Write Inc. has 5 underlying principles – the five Ps:

1. PACE – no time is wasted during teaching sessions! Children are active and involved in a fun and creative way. The aim is for the children to complete the programme as quickly as possible.

2. PRAISE – teachers praise the children constantly throughout the teaching sessions. Children learn more quickly when they are praised for what they do well, rather than criticised for what they do wrong.

3. PURPOSE – each activity has a very clear purpose. The teacher will set this purpose at the beginning of the lesson so that the children know exactly what they will be learning.

4. PARTICIPATION – all children take part in all parts of the lesson. Full participation is gained through partner work and choral response.

5. PASSION – as a staff we are passionate about our teaching and the benefits of the Read, Write Inc. programme! We love teaching the sessions and this enthusiasm rubs off onto the children.

Through the teaching of systematic phonics, our aim is for children to become fluent readers by the end of Key Stage 1. The children read books in line with their phonics knowledge. Children can then focus on developing fluency and comprehension throughout the school. Embedding the phonics knowledge early on means that children quickly learn to write simple words and sentences. Attainment in phonics is measured by the phonics screening test at the end of Year 1 as well as ongoing assessments throughout the Read, Write, Inc programme.

Phonics Screening Check

At the end of Year One all pupils nationally take a test called a Phonics Screening Check. They have to read 40 real and nonsense words.  We call the nonsense words ‘alien words’ and the children practice reading them in their phonics lessons.

If you have any questions or would like any further support please speak to your child's class teacher.