Reading

Changes to How we Teach Reading at Netherton Infants

We have recently purchased a new reading scheme called Little Wandle Letters and Sounds to bring our reading approaches/schemes in line with the new guidance about how to teach children to read. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds is a systematic synthetic phonics ( SSP ) programme.

There are two types of reading book that your child will bring home:

• A reading practice book –Collins Big Cat. This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.
• A sharing book.  Your child may not be able to read this book on their own as it is not fully decodable and may not match their exact phonics level. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

The Reading Practice Book:  Big Cat Books

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading. Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

As part of our homework policy we recommend that children read for 5-10 minutes each night.   Please can you continue to record this reading session in your child’s reading record. 

The Sharing Book: Oxford Reading Tree, Songbirds, Storyworld, Bug Club or Library book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together. Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Support for Parents

These videos (click on the phonics button below) show you how to pronounce the sounds. Notice how the children don’t add an ‘uh’ sound at the end, so they say: ‘t’ not ‘tuh’. Use the downloadable information to help your child remember how to write their letters and say their sounds.

The resources on the above link will also help you support your child with saying their sounds and writing their letters. There are also some useful which demonstrate how they are taught phonics and reading at school.

Further Support can be found via this link:  https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

Find our full Reception and Year 1 teaching programme overview here to see what your child will learn and when.