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Read Write Inc

Read Write Inc

At Holy Cross, we use the Read Write Inc programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. Read Write Inc is a method of learning centred around letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing.

Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out.

Using Read Write Inc, children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.

 

When using Read Write Inc to read, children will:

  •          learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups using simple picture prompts
  •          learn to read words using Fred Talk
  •          read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out
  •          show that they comprehend the stories by answering questions.

When using Read Write Inc to write, children will: 

  •          learn to write the 44 sounds and the corresponding letter/letter groups which represent 44 sounds.
  •          learn to write words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk
  •          write simple sentences
  •          compose stories based on pictures
  •          compose a range of stories based on writing frames.

 

Before your child can start to read, they need to learn to: 

  •          say the sound that is represented by each letter or group of letters
  •          sound out the word, e.g. c-a-t, sh-o-p, s-t-r-ee-t

 

 

What are speed sounds? Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3: 

In Read Write Inc phonics, the individual sounds are called ‘speed sounds’ – because we want your child to read them effortlessly.

Set 1

First, your child will learn the sounds below by sight. They will also learn to blend them together to read eg. c-a-t          cat.

m, a, s, d, t, i, n, p, g, o, c, k, u, b, f, e, l, h, sh, r, j, v, y, w, th, z, ch, qu, x, ng, nk

Set 2

Once your child is secure with Set 1 sounds, they will progress onto learning Set 2 and Set 3 sounds. There are 12 Set 2 ‘speed sounds’ that are made up of two or three letters which represent just one sound, e.g. ay as in play, ee as in tree and igh as in high. It is important that your child does not pronounce these as 2 or 3 separate sounds. When your child sees the ‘speed sound’ letters together in a word, they must say just one sound for these letters.

When your child learns their Set 2 sounds they will learn: 

  •          the letters that represent a speed sound eg. ay
  •          a simple picture prompt linked to the ‘speed sound’ and a short phrase to say eg. may I play

List of Set 2 sounds and Phrases:

ay: may I play

ee: what can you see

igh: fly high

ow: blow the snow

oo: poo at the zoo

oo: look at a book

ar: start the car

or: shut the door

air: that’s not fair

ir: whirl and twirl

ou: shout it out

oy: toy for a boy

Set 3

When learning their Set 3 speed sounds children will be taught that there are more ways in which the same sounds are written, e.g. ee as in tree and ea as in tea. There are 20 Set 3 ‘speed sounds’ that are made up of two or three letters which represent just one sound, e.g. ea as in tea, ow as in cow and are as in care. As before, it is important that your child does not pronounce these as 2 or 3 separate sounds. When your child sees the ‘speed sound’ letters together in a word, they must say just one sound for these letters.

When your child learns their Set 3 sounds they will learn: 

  •          the letters that represent a speed sound eg. ea
  •          a simple picture prompt linked to the ‘speed sound’ and a short phrase to say eg. cup of tea

List of Set 3 sounds and Phrases:

ea: cup of tea

oi: spoil the boy

a-e: make a cake

i-e: nice smile

o-e: phone home

u-e: huge brute

aw: yawn at dawn

are: share and care

ur: purse for a nurse

er: a better letter

ow: brown cow

ai: snail in the rain

oa: goat in a boat

ew: chew the stew

ire: fire fire! 

ear: hear with your ear

ure: sure it’s pure?

tion: celebration

tious/cious: scrumptious/delicious

e: he, me, we, she, be

 

 

Below is further information on how you can support your child at home. Please come and see Miss Heaton if you need any further information:

http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents/