Handwriting
We follow the PenPals handwriting scheme. Our Reception children are introduced to four main characters which help them to memorise the sequence for writing each letter correctly. The key thing to remember is that all letters start from the top (apart from d and e).
Phonics
We follow the Letters and Sounds Programme, using the pictures and songs from the Jolly Phonics Phonics Programme.
The video below provides a demonstration of how to correctly articulate the 42 letter sounds, in the order in which they are taught. The video below features the Jolly Songs which we use when teaching a new sound:
Terms to help you with Phonics:
Phoneme - The smallest unit of sound. There are approximately 44 phonemes in English (it depends on different accents). Phonemes can be put together to make words. e.g c a t
Grapheme - A way of writing down a phoneme. Graphemes can be made up from 1 letter e.g. p, 2 letters e.g. sh, 3 letters e.g. tch or 4 letters e.g ough.
Oral Blending - This involves hearing phonemes and being able to merge them together to make a word. Children need to develop this skill before they will be able to blend written words.
Blending- This involves looking at a written word, looking at each grapheme and trying to work out which phoneme each grapheme represents and then merging these phonemes together to make a word. This is the basis of reading.
Oral Segmenting - This is the act hearing a whole word and then splitting it up into the phonemes that make it. Children need to develop this skill before they will be able to segment words to spell them.
Segmenting - This involves hearing a word, splitting it up into the phonemes that make it and working out which graphemes represent those phonemes and then writing those graphemes down in the right order. This is the basis of spelling.
Parental Tips for Helping with Phonics:
- Make it fun—Play hide and seek with objects or hunt for letters when out & about
- Write letters while in the bath
- Make letters from sticks, stone or paint them with water
- Spot letters in books and move forwards to identify words
-Make sure you pronounce the sounds correctly!
Reading
We work towards developing children’s reading and love of books. We share a range of quality texts together during story times and shared reading. We hear the children read each week starting with individual read and moving onto a group guided read as they progress and grow in confidence. We have reading scheme books that are arranged into levelled bookbands. We plan their reading session in line with their current phonics phase. Children make progress at different rates and they will progress through the levels at different speeds.
Ideas for helping with Early Reading
- Create a love of books—enjoy reading make it a happy time
- Let your child use the pictures to tell you a story
- Enjoy it when children memorise the story and can ‘tell’ you the words on the page
- Spot words that your child knows in the book— Mum, Dad, dog or cat are often great words to start
- Find words that your child can segment and blend by themselves—set them up to impress you!
- Read everything—books, cereal packets, signs, number plates, posters—whatever takes their fancy!
Maths
Click the link to videos and information about how to support your child with their maths learning.
https://whiterosemaths.com/for-parents/maths-with-michael/
Support for Parents
Click the link to videos and information about how to support your child with their maths learning.