Early reading and RWI (Read, Write, Inc)

Read Write Inc is our phonics scheme

Here at Newington Community Primary School, we are using the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their English. RWI is a method of learning based upon letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.

The children are assessed regularly and grouped according to their ability. They will work with an RWI trained teacher or teaching assistant.

Read Write Inc., developed by Ruth Miskin, provides a structured and systematic approach to teaching literacy. It is used by more than a quarter of the UK's primary schools and is designed to create fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.

Each Read Write Inc. programme meets the higher expectations of the new curriculum and uses effective assessment to accelerate every child's progress.

Read Write Inc 'Reading Leader': Mrs Clements (Assistant Headteacher)

Children in Reception are taught daily phonics lessons according to their ability. In the first weeks of Reception, the initial sounds (Set 1 Speed Sounds) are taught in class groups. After this period, children are individually assessed and grouped according to their stage. Children receive daily phonics teaching in these groups using the structured speed sounds lesson plan.

It is our aim that all children leave Reception on track to achieve the expected standard for reading, following the RWI programme.

Reading

When using RWI to read the children will:

Learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple prompts
Learn to read words using sound blending (Fred talk)
Read lively stories featuring words they have learnt to sound out
Show that they comprehend the stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It'

Blending

Help your child learn to read words by sounding-blending (Fred talk) e.g. c-a-t = cat, sh-o-p = shop. Children learn to read words by blending the letter-sounds that are in the Speed Sounds set (shown further down the page).

Help your child to say the pure sounds ('m' not 'muh', 's' not 'suh' etc.) as quickly as they can, and then blend the sounds together to say the whole word.

As your child learns each sound (phoneme), they are taught how to blend the sounds together to make two and three letters words (CVC words - consonant, vowel, consonant - such as the word 'dog'). Your child will learn how to read real and nonsense words.

Writing

When using RWI to write the children will:

Learn to write the letter/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds
Learn to write words by saying the sounds and graphemes (Fred fingers)

Talking

When using RWI the children will also work in pairs:

To answer questions
To take turns talking and listening to each other
To give positive praise to each other

Reading Books Sent Home

Children in Reception who are learning the first 44 letter sounds and are not blending fluently will bring home picture books and a library book for you to read with them.

Once children can blend fluently and know the first 44 sounds they will bring home a red a sound blending book or a Red Ditty book.

Read Write Inc Books

Please encourage your child to read each word carefully. There will be sessions in school where you will be invited to learn more about RWI and helping your child throughout the year.

Don't worry if your child is struggling at first with their sounds and words, they will get there in their own time. If you have time (we know it is very precious!), we would urge you to try and read stories to your child before they go to bed. This will help develop a wider vocabulary which makes a vast difference to their quality of writing but it will also encourage them to enjoy a good story.