At Salterlee Primary School, we have adopted and follow the Read Write Inc phonics scheme.
What is Read Write Inc. Phonics?
Read Write Inc. Phonics is a literacy programme developed by Ruth Miskin and published by Oxford University Press.
In the programme children learn sounds and the letters that represent them, and how to form the letters. Then, they read books written using only the letters they have learnt (and a small number of separately taught ‘tricky words’). This gives the children plenty of early success and builds up their reading confidence.
How will my child learn to read?
The Read Write Inc. Phonics approach teaches children to read sets of sounds and then blend them to read words. The books that they read at school will only contain the sounds they’ve already learned, so children learn quickly and confidently.
First, your child will learn to read:
- Set 1 Speed Sounds (sounds written with one letter): m a s d t i n p g o c k u b f e l h r j v y w z x and sounds written with two letters (your child will call these ‘special friends’): sh th ch qu ng nk ck
- Words containing these sounds, by sound-blending, e.g. m–a–t mat, c–a–t cat, g–o–t got, f–i–sh fish, s–p–o–t spot, b–e–s–t best, s–p–l–a–sh splash
- At school, they will read Read Write Inc. PhonicsSound Blending Books and Red, Green and Purple Storybooks.
Whilst they are practising reading stories with words made up of Set 1 Speed Sounds, your child will also learn to read:
- Set 2 Speed Sounds: ay ee igh ow oo oo ar or air ir ou oy
- Words containing these sounds
- At school, they will read Read Write Inc. Phonics Pink, Orange and Yellow Storybooks.
Whilst they are practising reading stories with words made up of Set 1 and Set 2 Speed Sounds, your child will also learn to read:
- Set 3 Speed Sounds: ea oi a–e i–e o–e u–e aw are ur er ow ai oa er ire ear ure
- Words containing these sounds
- At school, they will read Read Write Inc. Phonics Blue and Grey Storybooks.
You will find a useful phonics audio guide to all these sounds on our Phonics made easy page. It is really important to say the sounds clearly to help your child learn them. We say ‘mmmm‘ not ‘muh’ and ‘lllll‘ not ‘luh’ when teaching the sounds. This really helps children when they learn to blend sounds together to read words.
Read Write Inc. guide for parents
Read Write Inc. is a literacy programme developed by Ruth Miskin and is taught in over 5000 schools in the United Kingdom. Look through the videos below to learn about how reading is taught at school, and how you can help your child with their reading and phonics.