Read Write Inc. programmes

Using Read Write Inc. Phonics Online

Read Write Inc. Phonics Online is on the Oxford Owl for schools website (www.oxfordowl.co.uk). Read Write Inc. Phonics Online contains a wealth of teaching support materials. Support your teachers to access and use these resources in their lessons. Key sections of the online resource are as follows.

Assessment

This section contains all the documents you will need for assessing the children. See pp.62-80 for further information.

Speed Sounds resources

These resources support the teaching of Speed Sounds Lessons. They include: Speed Sounds slideshows; a video of how to pronounce pure sounds; printable nonsense words, multi-syllabic words and additional Speed Sounds cards for assessment; a Phonics Screening Check assessment; and two printable Parent Booklets to send home with children to explain how to use the Speed Sounds to new parents.

Storybook files

Each Storybook has an accompanying online file. The file consists of a number of tabs, labelled a, b, c, etc. The tabs correspond to activity types and follow in a sequential order so that teachers can tab through them in the lessons. (They are also referenced in the teaching notes for every Storybook in Phonics Handbooks 1 and 2.) The Storybook online files contain the following content. Story Green Words Illustrated words to help explain new vocabulary to children Speedy Green Words Animated files that bring up the words as a slideshow to use with children Build a Sentence Picture prompts for this activity Think About the Story Picture prompts for this activity Proofread Display files that you can use to show answers and discuss corrections Write About Files to support modelling writing for children Printable files Printable versions of the Story/Book Introduction, Speedy Green Words and Story Green Words Handwriting files There are printable files with detailed guidance on teaching handwriting to use alongside the guidance in Phonics Handbooks 1 and 2. Storytime and Poetry Time files These are all the files needed for teaching Read Write Inc. Phonics Storytime and Poetry Time: the SAMPLE printed story and poetry texts, artwork for display and audio readings of all of the poems. There are accompanying teaching activities for developing oral language and comprehension. Search by Reception or Year 1 to find the files needed.

One-to-one resources

Closely matched to the One-to-one Tutoring Kit, there is extensive video support and guidance for one-to-one tutoring of the programme.

Frequently asked questions

Teachers joining your team who are new to Read Write Inc. Phonics may have queries as they get to know the programme, especially if they have not taught Read Write Inc. before. We have added some frequently asked questions below.

New teachers to the programme

I’ve heard Read Write Inc. is very structured. Is this true?

Yes, Read Write Inc. is successful because it is very structured. Once teachers know the cycle of activities, they can then put all of their energy into teaching with passion and creativity, and children can put their energy into learning to read and write. Teaching creatively involves having attention available to concentrate on the children in front of them and responding to their individual needs, there and then.

Do children read ‘real’ books?

We want children to learn to read and write fluently and independently as quickly as possible. Within the Phonics lessons, children read books that are closely matched to their phonic knowledge. Teachers also read ‘real’ books to the children every day (see Storytimes on pp.46-47). The aim of Read Write Inc. Phonics is to get children reading and writing as quickly as possible. In established Read Write Inc. schools, children progress from the Phonics programme to Literacy and Language at the start of Year 2 (P3). At this point, children can read fluently and are able to read a wide variety of books confidently and independently. Does this programme just teach phonics for reading? No, Read Write Inc. Phonics teaching develops the knowledge and skills needed for: reading, comprehension, writing, spoken English, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, punctuation, composition and handwriting. The lesson plans seamlessly integrate all of these skills so that they are developed alongside one another in a holistic manner. All of the teaching is underpinned by phonics. How easy is the programme to implement? The programme is straightforward to implement and teach: children learn Speed Sounds in sets, learn to blend them, and then progress to reading books (with eight key levels of progression, from Red to Grey). Reassure your teachers that you are there to support and coach them and to help them with practicalities such as assessment and organising their teaching areas. Phonics Handbooks 1 and 2 provide detailed step-by-step lesson plans which teachers can use to prepare. Can we see the programme in action? Yes, if you are new to Read Write Inc. and would like to see it being taught successfully in a SAMPLE school near you, you can visit a Model School.

Does the programme match the National Curriculum?

Yes, there are charts online to show how the programme matches the National Curriculum for England, as well as those for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.