Phonics
At The Woodlands we follow the phonics scheme 'Twinkl Phonics'. It is a systematic, synthetic phonics programme approved by the DfE. Within this phonics scheme, sounds are split into levels. There are six levels in total.
At The Woodlands we follow the phonics scheme 'Twinkl Phonics'. It is a systematic, synthetic phonics programme approved by the DfE. Within this phonics scheme, sounds are split into levels. There are six levels in total.
In Foundation levels 2,3 and 4 are taught. This is where the children are introduced to phonemes, digraphs, trigraphs, initial and final blends.
In Year 1 level 5 is taught and children learn alternative sounds.
In Year 2 level 6 is is taught and the children learn the links to spelling rules, prefixes and suffixes.
Each phonics level has tricky words which are taught and learnt.
A Phonics lesson is taught five times a week in Foundation and Years 1 and 2.
Here are some helpful Phonics websites to use at home to support your child's learning in Phonics:
Reading
At The Woodlands reading is taught daily, the children are exposed to word reading and comprehension activities. Books allocated to the children are linked to the phonics level they are working within.
The reading schemes we follow are Bug Club, Twinkl and Project X which are matched with the phonics scheme we follow. Pupils will receive a book each week.
KS2 teaching focuses on vocabulary and comprehension through a stimulating array of texts.
It is expected that children at Woodlands read at home at least 3 times a week and that this is recorded in their red hone learning diary.
Autumn term reading initiatives:
Year 1 and 2- Woody the reading bear. Woody will come home with a child from the class each weekend and explore books and adventures with your child. This can be written about/picture documented and needs to be sent back to school on Mondays to be shared with the rest of the class. Who will Woody visit this weekend?
Year 3 and 4- Crafty Readers. A scrapbook and crafts folder will be sent home with a different child each weekend and they can choose a book to represent in that scrapbook. They can choose their favourite book and create art from it or they can write a book review using the crafts folder. Again this then needs to be returned on a Monday to share with the class. Which book will be chosen next?
Year 5 and 6 'Starbooks'. Children can hash tag where they've read, with their fantasy drink and what they've read. Are they a #HarryPotterhotchocolateonthesofa reader? When children have read 3 or more times that week, they will be entered into a draw to win Frappe Friday where they will receive a sweet treat and tasty drink to enjoy during their Friday school reading lesson. Who will receive a Frappe Friday treat this week?
Spellings
At the Woodlands we have started a new Spelling Scheme called Spelling with Grammarsaurus. Pupils in year 3-6 are taught spelling rules and learn words linked to the spelling rule. Children have 3 spelling lessons a week and have opportunities to embed new spellings at school. At times, children will be sent home with a spelling rule and spellings to learn, but the traditional spelling tests have gone. The spelling scheme also links to the national curriculum expectations, alongside links to words, sentence and punctuation objectives.
Year 1 and 2 are learning spellings in their own way, linked to their phonics. Year 2 will start learning Spelling with Grammarsaurus in the spring term.
Reception children follow our personalised spelling scheme called Super Spelling where pupils learn to spell high frequency and tricky words.