Phonics and Early Reading curriculum statement
Intent
At Kemball we endeavour to deliver a meaningful and purposeful phonics and reading curriculum that enables our pupils to access the written word in the world around them as independently as possible.
Implementation
The Read Write Inc. scheme is used consistently across the school, with the scheme adapted for pre-formal learners. Phonics is taught daily for all pupils across the school with the key phonic skills underpinning all subjects across the school curriculum.
Multisensory pathway –
Phonics is taught daily using the revisit and review, teach, practise and apply structure. Every day, the sounds previously taught will be reviewed. There will then be a focus letter of the week. Each day, the ‘practise and apply’ aspect will focus on this letter through either a sound focus, a sound story, body percussion or environmental or instrumental sounds. On a Friday, the ‘practise and apply’ aspect is a reflection session where all taught sounds are used for sensory exploration and tactile mark making.
Engagement pathway –
Phonics is taught daily following the revisit and review, teach, practise and apply structure. Every day, the sounds previously taught will be reviewed followed by a focus letter of the day. Each day, the ‘practise and apply’ aspect will focus on this letter using a visual references linked to different sensory items for that letter. Fine motor and gross motor opportunities are planned within the practise and apply aspect of the session.
Progression and functional pathways –
Phonics is taught following the RWI scheme for speed sound sessions and word time sessions. Pupils have RWI story time books closely matched to their reading level that is used for 1:1 reading sessions.
If a pupil has completed the RWI phonics scheme, they move onto RWI spelling which is a discrete daily session teaching the spelling rules stated in the National Curriculum.
If pupils are competent and fluent at the phonics level then they progress onto the accelerated reading scheme. Pupil’s comprehension is assessed using the Star Read tests and AR quizzes linked to their individual reading books. Pupils have an AR reading book matched to their reading level that is used for 1:1 reading sessions.
Guided reading sessions are taught weekly for all pupils in the progression and functional pathways. These are small group’s sessions with texts that are appropriately matched to the groups reading level. There is a clear reading focus for the session that is taught and modelled by the teacher or TA running the session.
All pupils read 1:1 with an adult at least three times a week and have 1 guided reading session as a small group focusing on comprehension skills.
Reading for pleasure
All classes have daily ‘class story’ time to model reading for pleasure and to engage and excite learners to read for different purposes.
Wider curriculum events such as our reading cafes, shared reading sessions between older and younger pupils, world book day, storyteller visits and visits to the school and community library all contribute to developing a love of reading for our pupils.
Impact
Pupils receive a consistent and rigorous phonics curriculum that ensures good progress is made for all pupils across the school. Pupils are immersed in high quality and diverse literature that allows them to develop word reading and comprehension skills whilst cultivating a love of reading/listening to stories.