Phonics
What is Phonics?
Children are taught to read by breaking down words into separate sounds or ‘phonemes’. They are then taught how to blend these sounds together to read the whole word. Children have a 25 - 30 minute phonics lesson each day and they are encouraged to use these strategies to read and write in other lessons. There are around 40 different sounds. At Charlotte School we use the scheme Song of Sounds, we find our children really success using songs to learn sounds. Obviously, we tailor our teaching to the needs of our children but we use this document as our starting point.
More information can be found on their website:
Year 1 Phonics Screening Check
Every Year 1 child in the country will be taking the phonics screening check in the same week in June. The children will be checked on their ability to segment and blend both real and nonsense/alien words. Miss Jenkins and Miss Pitman will carry out all the phonics checks with the Year 1 and Year 2 children. The check is very similar to tasks the children already complete during phonics lessons. Children will be asked to ‘sound out’ a word and blend the sounds together. Eg d-o-g -> dog ch-ai-n -> chain
The focus of the check is to see which sounds the children know and therefore the children will be asked to read made up ‘nonsense’ words.
Last year the children were required to score 32 or above to pass. If your child doesn’t attain the score then they are required to re-take the check in Year 2
The Phonics Check will be completed the week beginning 10th June 2024
Please ensure your child is in school that week.
Real and Alien word practise booklets
The Year 1 children and those retaking the check in Year 2 will be bringing home a phonic check booklet. Please help your child to practise the real and alien words by segmenting and blending, using their robot arms. Your child will be given another booklet in Summer Term 1 and 2.