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Phonics

Introduction:

Phonics is taught to children as soon as they start school in Reception and as they continue their journey through Key Stage 1 in order to help them learn to read.  Our aim at Parklands is to support each child to become successful, independent readers who have a real love of learning.  

What is Phonics?

Phonics is the ability to convert a letter or group of letters into sounds that are blended into a word.  All schools in England are required to teach phonics using a recognised systematic synthetic Phonics programme. Here at Parklands we have adopted the Twinkl Phonics programme which moves children through progressive phases of learning new sounds building on the skills and knowledge of previous learning.  They are also taught to read and spell 'tricky' (Common Exception) words which are words where the spelling is unusual.  

How is Phonics taught at Parklands?

In EYFS children receive two sessions of phonics daily.  The morning session introduces the new sound as well as tricky words for the day/week and the afternoon session looks at the formation of that sound and writing of words using the sound.  In Years 1 and 2, the children are grouped according to their phonics stage and receive a 20 minute session daily.  

The daily phonics lessons follow the same format:

  •  Revise - the children begin the session by revising previous learning;   
  •  Teach - the new phonemes, high frequency or tricky words;                     
  •  Practice - the children practise the new learning by reading and/or writing words; 
  •  Apply - the children will apply their new learning by reading or writing sentences.

Useful Links

Please click on the following links to help support you and your child with their phonics learning:

Twinkl Phonics Level 2 Sounds and Actions - YouTube

Useful Phonics Website

Alphablocks - BBC resource