Read Write Inc. Phonics at Ridgeway Primary Academy

At Ridgeway Primary Academy, we use the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme to teach our children how to read (Early Years to Key Stage One). We begin by teaching the children to say and recognise the letters that represent the most common sounds and show them how to ‘blend’ these sounds together to make words.

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.

When using RWI to read children will:

  • Learn that sounds are represented by written letters;
  • learn 44 sounds and their corresponding letter/ letter groups using simple picture prompts;
  • Learn how to blend sounds;
  • Learn to read words using Fred Talk;
  • Read lively stories featuring words they have learned to sound out;
  • Show that they comprehend stories by answering questions;

When using RWI to write children will:

  • Learn to write the letters/ letter groups which represent 44 sounds;
  • Learn to write words by saying the sounds in Fred Talk;
  • Write simple sentences;

What does a RWI lesson look like:

Each lesson has the same structure so that children focus on the new learning rather than worrying about what is going to happen next. We check children’s progress at least every half term and make sure they are reading texts matched to their developing reading ability.

RWI Teaching Sequence

Ten Top Tips for Reading at home

What does Home Reading at Ridgeway Primary Academy look like:

Children take home books to read with parents and family members. These books are carefully chosen to match their reading ability. We encourage parents and families to listen to children read at home as much as possible to encourage and support them in their reading journeys. Children also take home a copy of the RWI storybook they have read in lessons during the week. In doing this, children are able to develop their fluency skills and increase their reading speed.

RWInc Letter formation

Phrases for RWInc sounds

For more information about Read Write Inc. Phonics please visit one of the following links:

Parents and Carers – Ruth Miskin Literacy  OR   www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading

This video from Ruth Miskin gives an overview of the RWI programme