Read Write Inc. sessions are run for 50 minutes during the morning literacy block, four times a week.
We start by teaching phonics to the children in the Reception class. This means that they learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn to spell well. We teach the children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters. Children who are starting fresh to the program will be given opportunity to learn the sounds and ways to remember them if they require this step.
The children also practice reading (and spelling) what we call ‘tricky words’, such as ‘once,’ ‘have,’ ‘said’ and ‘where’.
The children practice their reading with books that match the phonics and the ‘tricky words’ they know. They start thinking that they can read and this does wonders for their confidence.
The teachers read to the children, too, so the children get to know all sorts of stories, poetry and information books. They learn many more words this way and it also helps their writing.
Read write Inc offers the ideal platform to monitor your child’s growth and development in reading. In turn it also allows to easily detect gaps in knowledge and provide support instantly for children who need it. Children will move through the groups as their learning grows and this allows us to tailor the program to meet their current needs. We will keep open communication lines with families about how your child is doing and what you can do at home to support him/her in their learning. The aim is to have children reading independently by the end of Year 2 and then proceed to focus on comprehension, spelling and transferring their skills in writing.