Phonics, Reading and Spelling
Read Write Inc.
At Castle Cary Primary School we use Read Write Inc Phonics (RWI) to give your child the best possible start with their literacy.
We have put together a guide to how the RWI programme works together with some useful links.
What is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics complete literacy programme which helps all children learn to read fluently and at speed so they can focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling. The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, we will continue teaching RWI to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading. RWI was developed by Ruth Miskin.
For more information, please follow the links below.
Parent Reading Information
How will RWI be taught?
Reception Outline
In Reception all children will learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down.
Reading
The children:
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learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts
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learn to read words using Fred talk and sound blending
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read from a range of storybooks and non-fictions books matched to their phonic knowledge
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work well with partners
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develop comprehension skills in stories by answering 'Find It' and 'Prove It' discussion questions
Writing
The children:
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learn to write and form the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds with the help of fun phrases
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learn to write words by using Fred Talk
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learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before they write
Talking
The children work in pairs so that they:
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answer every question
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practise every activity with their partner
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take turns in talking and reading to each other
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develop ambitious vocabulary
Helping at home
Children will take home RWI phonics book bag books to practise the phonics skills they are learning at school, alongside a storybook that they have read in their guided reading session. Phonics books aid application, speed and fluency- developing speedy reading! At Castle Cary Primary School, we send home one guided reading book that the children will be familiar with as they would have read it three times with us during the week. We will also send home one book bag book which they are not familiar with but will match their phonological knowledge and we will also send home a sharing book which is for the parent to enjoy reading to the child. Children are expected to read these books at least three times a week to build on their fluency and speedy reading.
Year One & Year Two Outline
Children follow the same format as Reception but will work on complex sounds and read books appropriate to their reading level. Daily sessions of RWI phonics last for 45 minutes to one hour.
Children who are fluent readers and complete the RWI phonics programme will then access the RWI spelling programme.
RWInc Spelling is an interactive programme which teaches spellings in a fun and engaging way. Each unit is introduced with a short video. It helps children to learn spellings with common patterns and uses rules in order to help them recall spellings as well as teaching exceptions to these rules.
Children will then no longer bring home the RWI books as they will then be able to access and read a range of books using Accelerated Reader.
Phonics Screening Year 1
The Year 1 phonics screening check is a short, light-touch assessment to confirm whether individual pupils have learnt phonic decoding to an appropriate standard.
It will identify the children who need extra help so they are given support by their school to improve their reading skills. They will then be able to retake the check so that schools can track pupils until they are able to decode.
The phonics screening test for Year 1 children will take place on the week beginning 10th June 2024.
If you would like to see an example of previous tests, or you would like to have a go at a previous test with your child, please see our download section below.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader (AR) is a computer-based management system that helps teachers manage and monitor our children’s independent reading practice and progress. AR is introduced to children in Years 2-6, only when they are secure in their phonic knowledge and they have completed the RWI phonics programme.
When your child moves onto AR, they will be able to choose books at their own level. This level is given to them by the class teacher and is called a ZPD. The ZPD gives the children a range and they have to choose a book within their range. Your child's ZPD is assessed each half term through something called a Star Test and will change accordingly. Your child's ZPD is based on their fluency and also their understanding of what they are reading.
Your child will then read the book they have chosen at their own pace. When finished, your child takes a short book-based quiz within the AR system. This is done in the classroom at a time designated by the class teacher. Passing the quiz (with a score of 85% or more) is an indication that your child understood what was read.
AR gives children and teachers feedback based on the quiz results which the teacher then uses to help set your child targets and goals and to direct ongoing reading practice and book choice.
Renaissance Home Connect
The link below will take you to the 'Renaissance Home Connect' website. Where you can keep track of your child's progress on Accelerated Reader. You are able to login to Home Connect using your child's Accelerated Reader login details and view your child's progress.
You can even set up email alerts that will inform you via email when your child passes their quiz, and of how well they have achieved! Use the 'Email Setup' link in Home Connect to do this.
We hope you enjoy keeping informed of your child's progress using Home Connect.
Guided Reading
Once children have progressed through the Read, Write, Inc. they are ready to read independently and develop higher order reading skills. They will progress onto Accelerated Reader and they will take part in teacher led guided reading sessions. These take place at least 4 times a week with an emphasis on the key skills - literal, deductive, inference and evaluative. We use a mixture of home readers plus our library to support a love of independent reading.
AR Book Finder
AR BookFinder is an exciting web-based book-searching tool from Renaissance Learning.
With this free online tool you can search for interesting and appropriate books for your child, quickly and easily, in the knowledge that there is an Accelerated Reader quiz available for each book.
We encourage you to explore this book-searching tool with your child. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
Read Write Inc. Spelling is for children in Years 2 to 6 who can read accurately, with increasing speed. Spelling is taught discretely for around 15 minutes a day.
The RWI spelling programme develops children’s knowledge of word families, how suffixes impact upon root words, and provides mnemonics to remember the trickiest spellings. The teaching revolves around instruction (with the help of online alien characters), partner and group practice, and competitive group challenges that help children commit new words to memory.