Children find it easier to learn to read and spell if they are taught pure sounds.
Watch the videos below to see and hear how to pronounce each of the sounds correctly.
Supporting Phonics
At Penn Wood, children begin learning sounds in Nursery. From the start of Reception, children are taught using the RWI phonics programme, which systematically teaches children the sounds needed to become competent readers.
For more information on our approach to early reading, please see our Early Reading policy:
Phoneme pronunciation guide
Our Reading Schemes
Whilst children are learning to read using the Read, Write, Inc. phonics scheme, children take home 'Book Bag Books' linked to each story they read in school. Reading tasks, including quizzes, are also set on Oxford Owl - all children have their own unique login.
Once children have completed the RWI scheme, children are assessed using PM Benchmarking and then read the appropriate banded books.
Reading at Home
Children are expected to read daily at home, with parents' support if necessary and appropriate. Every child has a home-school reading record which is monitored daily by class teachers. Children have access to Oxford Reading Buddy and Oxford Owl, where they can read a wide range of e-books.
Parents are actively encouraged to attend Rapid Reading mornings in Early Years and KS1 - opportunities to read with their child in school, as well as regular reading and phonics workshops held in school.
Please read the following Rising Stars guide to reading with your child at home for advice on supporting your children: