Phonics
Phonics provides vital foundations to become a fluent reader.
At Gretton School, we use Twinkl Phonics as our Systematic, Synthetic Phonics (SSP) Program. With a clear, structured progression through the programme, it allows our pupils to meet expected standards.
The Twinkl Phonics approach combines rigorous progression with engaging learning materials. We believe that children learn best when they are enjoying their learning and that this comes from a mix of bright, fun lesson resources within a clear and systematic approach that builds children’s skills daily. Broadly speaking, the Twinkl Phonics progression is based on the Letters & Sounds framework, which helps us meet the needs of our children who may have been using that approach in previous schools before joining us.
During the lessons, children will repeat the elements from the four cornerstones of phonics to ensure that they have rapid and automatic recall of Grapheme, Phoneme Correspondences GPCs and tricky/common exception words; each day, they will experience blending and segmenting activities to allow regular practice of these core skills.
Twinkl Phonics lessons are also supported by weekly decodable minibooks, where children can apply the skills they have learnt in their phonics lessons. As part of our wider SSP provision, there are also follow-up activities that the children can complete independently, in pairs or in groups which relate to the day’s learning.
In addition, we use actions to help the children remember phonemes; this kinaesthetic, visual and auditory approach helps the children to retain the phonemes. Decodable reading books are also provided, matched to the children’s phonic phases through the use of Rhino Readers. We also use a blend of e-books and physical books.
Twinkl Codebreakers intervention is for children who have gaps in their phonics knowledge. Codebreakers revisits the graphemes and tricky/common exception words that are taught as part of the main programme but in a new format, with Kit and Sam looking older and taking the children on secret missions.
Each session follows the format
* Revisit and Review
*Teach
*Practise
*Apply
Each session is assessed and adapted to meet the needs of the children. Each child completes a baseline assessment when they join Gretton school and at the beginning of each academic year. They are then assessed each term formatively alongside daily assessments after each session. This data is collected and shared within the Key stage team and used to identify gaps that need further support.
Books linked to our phonics scheme.
Below are some supporting youtube links.
A Support Guide For Phase 2 Phonics
A Support Guide to Phase 3 Sounds
A Support Guide to Phase 5 Grapheme Pronunciation
