Little Wandle Phonics

Following on from the September Phonics and Early Reading Meeting for Parents and Carers, please find below additional information regarding our phonics scheme - Little Wandle.

Following a recent change in government guidance we have decided to invest in a new scheme for teaching early reading in our school. This will impact the way that both phonics and reading are taught, especially in Reception and Key Stage 1.

Phonics will continue to be taught daily to all children but will be taught following a newly released phonics scheme called ‘Little Wandle-Letters and Sounds revised’. 

Alongside our daily phonics lessons, each child will take part in three reading practice sessions. Children will be reading in small groups and will read the same book three times with adults in school. We read the book three times in school because we want to develop fluency. Each read in school will have a different focus:

• Decoding
• Prosody- reading with rhythm, stress and intonation
• Comprehension

Reading fully decodable books

• Children must read books consistent with their phonic knowledge.
• It is essential not to use other strategies to work out words (including guessing words, deducing meaning from pictures, grammar, context clues or whole word recognition). 
• Books must be fully decodable and follow the Little Wandle scheme
• Children need to read books in a progressive sequence until they can decode unfamiliar words confidently.

The role of Parents’ and Carers’ 

• Have a positive impact on their child’s reading.
• Should model the importance of reading practice to develop fluency.
• Children take home books they have read at school to re-read at home to build fluency.
• There are two different types of books that pupils bring home: reading practice and books to share for pleasure.
• Reading at home encourages a love of books, along with developing vocabulary and discussion.
• Parents should use voices, expression, discuss unfamiliar vocabulary, talk about the pictures, and predict what might happen next.
• Give positive yet informative feedback in the home reading diary at least 3 times a week

Supporting your child with reading

Although your child will be taught to read at school, you can have a huge impact on their reading journey by continuing their practice at home.

There are two types of reading book that your child may bring home:

A reading practice book.

This will be at the correct phonic stage for your child. They should be able to read this fluently and independently.

A sharing book.  Your child will not be able to read this on their own. This book is for you both to read and enjoy together.

Reading practice book

This book has been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.

Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished, talk about the book together.

Sharing book

In order to encourage your child to become a lifelong reader, it is important that they learn to read for pleasure. The sharing book is a book they have chosen for you to enjoy together.

Please remember that you shouldn’t expect your child to read this alone. Read it to or with them. Discuss the pictures, enjoy the story, predict what might happen next, use different voices for the characters, explore the facts in a non-fiction book. The main thing is that you have fun!

Supporting phonics at home

For further information on how to support your child with phonics, please visit the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds website:

https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/

The videos are on the website for you to refer to and if you are unsure, please ask your child’s teacher.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to talk to one of us!

Resources for home