Phonics - Little Wandle

At Cherry Garden Primary School, we follow the ‘Little Wandle: Revised Letters and Sounds’ programme for the teaching of phonics and early reading in Key Stage 1. By using this scheme, we are drawing on the already excellent practise of our teachers, and ensuring that the teaching of phonics (including tricky words) and early reading are well embedded, and have a clear progression. This ensures that children's learning of phonics can be used to help them decode and read with fluency across all areas of the curriculum. Click here to access an overview of the programme’s progression.

Reading Books

In order for children’s learning in phonics to support early reading, children are matched with a reading fluency book that compliments their phonic ability. They will need the support of an adult to listen to them read and encourage confidence, fluency and expression (prosody). For this reason, we ask that children read their reading practise book a number of times at home before it is changed. Parents can refer to the inside cover of books to give them guidance on questions that they can ask about the text.

As well as a reading fluency book, children also take home a ‘sharing book’. This is a book that children have chosen themselves and will not necessarily be one that they are able to  read independently. The purpose of this is to encourage a love of reading for pleasure.

Books are changed on a weekly basis-class teachers communicate with parents to ensure that they know which day their child’s book is changed.

Assessment

As an in-built element of the programme, children are regularly assessed so that their progress is closely monitored and any additional ‘Keep Up’ support required is identified and can be implemented.

Additional Phonics Support

While phonics is taught predominantly in EYFS and Year 1, there are circumstances where children in Year 2, and above benefit from additional intervention to support them in using and applying phonic knowledge. In these circumstances, the school uses the programme’s ‘Rapid Catchup’ resources to support children through additional intervention.

How can I support my child at home?

Children’s spelling homework is linked to phonics/ spelling work that they are focusing on at school, so supporting them with learning these (and any associated spelling rules in Key Stage 2) will be a huge support to children.

The school asks that children read to someone at home a minimum of 3 times per week. The more often children read, the more fluent and confident they are as readers. This then opens up the curriculum in other subjects.

By clicking here, parents and carers can access resources to help support their child. Including:

• ‘Support for phonics’- videos and guides on how to pronounce sounds for parents.
• ‘How we Teach’-video and downloads on how phonics is taught in class.

What next after Little Wandle?

The majority of children in Year 2 and beyond in Key Stage 2 move on to the ‘No Nonsense Spelling’ programme and the school’s ‘Big Cat’ reading book scheme. This encompasses a range of fiction and non-fiction books that are suitable for the ARE (Age Related Expectations) that children are working at.

Children in Year 2 and Key Stage 2 will also take home sharing books to help develop reading for pleasure.

Information for Reception Parents

The Phonics Screening Check

The Phonics Screening Check is a government assessment that takes place when children are in Year 1, usually completed in June of each year. The presentation below from our Phonics Lead, Miss Holland, will explain more about it.