What is phonics and where does it come from!?

Sound of the Alphabet

'Phonics' is, in the most simple terms, how to read and write. In Reception, we teach a twenty-minute phonics lesson every day. During these sessions, children are taught to recognise and say the sounds which make up words in the English language. We also focus on writing the sounds and build up to spelling words and, later in the year, simple sentences. 

As they become confident with some letter sounds, children learn to blend these sounds together and read words e.g. 'c-a-t.'

Every letter in our alphabet has both a name and a sound. 'D' for example. It's name is pronounced 'dee' but the sound it makes is 'd' for 'duck.' Right from day one, children are taught the difference between a letter's name and the sound that it makes. 

In light of the fact that we are not currently able to offer a phonics workshop, I've created a PowerPoint instead which explains how phonics is taught in school and what it is all about. Take a look and just ask if you have any questions about this area of learning.

Phonics workshop.pptx

Alphablocks 

If you would like to make a start on phonics with your child during the summer holiday, I would highly recommend watching the Alphablocks parents' guide to understanding phonics. Here is a link to the website. I'd suggest watching the introductory video at the top of the page followed by the Red Level video:

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/the-alphablocks-guide-to-phonics

And here is a handy video which demonstrates further how to pronounce all of the single-letter sounds (the sounds made by each letter of the alphabet). For now, don't go beyond teaching the single-letter sounds...we'll soon progress to two-letter sounds in class and I'll let you know via home learning when we do.

Pronunciation video link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ksblMiliA8

Handwriting - here is a copy of our handwriting patterns so that you can see how we teach letter formation in school. 

Our Harvest Performance

The Nativity

Useful Websites for Home Learning:

https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/resources - good for phonics games (many are free)

http://twinkl.co.uk/ - thousands of resources, some of which can be accessed for free

https://www.topmarks.co.uk - online maths games for primary school children, sorted by age

https://www.ictgames.com/mobilePage/literacy.html - online games again useful for phonics

https://www.bl.uk/childrens-books/themes/all-activities - Creative activities about characters, illustrations superheroes etc.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7D-mXO4kk-XWvH6lBXdrPw - stories and poems performed by Michael Rosen

https://www.coolmath4kids.com - Online games, great interactive manipulatives, lessons, quizzes and brain teasers 

https://easyscienceforkids.com - activities about understanding the world

https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/ - articles, activities and games

https://artfulparent.com - art and craft ideas

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XMF3Inoi8R9nSI8ChOsdQ -how to draw videos for children