Read, Write, Inc

 

The systematic teaching of phonics remains central to our literacy development at Osbaston.

Read Write Inc (RWI) is a phonics programme which is used across Foundation Phase to help all our children learn to read. 

We teach children the skills of segmenting and blending to begin to build and read words.

We strive to develop fluency in reading and developing reading speed which then enables learners to focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling.  

The programme is designed for children aged 4-7. However, we will continue using RWI strategies to children beyond the age of 7 if they still need support in their reading.

RWI
RWI Sounds

Set 1 Sounds

These are the first letters pupils will learn in the Reception Class. 

They are taught these as pure sounds. This means the children learn the sound. The letter 'm' is sounded as 'mmmmmmm' not as 'muh'. As they are introduced to the letter sound, pupils learn how to form the letter by listening to the rhyme that matches the picture.

In Set 1, letters and their sounds are introduced one at a time. A set of letters is taught each week.

As soon as each set of letters is introduced, children will be encouraged to use their knowledge of the letter sounds to blend and sound out words. For example, they will learn to blend the sounds s-a-t to make the word 'sat'. They will also start learning to segment words

Set 2 Sounds

There are 12 Set 2 ‘speed sounds’ that are made up of two or three letters which represent just one sound,   

  • 'ay as in play',                                                                                                                                                                                           
  • 'ee as in tree'                                                                                                                                                                                                 
  • 'igh as in high'                                                                                                                                                                                                   

It is important that your child does not pronounce these as 2 or 3 separate sounds. When they sees the ‘speed sound’ letters together in a word, it is important to say just one sound for these letters. These are called ‘special friends’.

In school they will learn:

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

Every speed sound has a list of green words linked to ‘sound out’ and ‘sound blend’’ words containing the new speed sound they have just learnt. e.g s-p-r-ay  spray. 

Speed Sounds 2
Set 3 sounds

Set 3 Sounds

There are 20 Set 3 ‘speed sounds’. These are made up of two or three letters which represent just one sound,

e.g

  • ea as in tea,
  • ow as in cow
  • are as in care.

It is important that your childdoes not pronounce these as 2 or 3 separate sounds. When your child sees the ‘speed sound’ letters together in a word, they say one sound for these letters.

When learning theSet 3 sounds, pupils will learn:

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

Every speed sound has a list of green words linked to it, so your child can ‘sound out’ and ‘sound blend’ words containing the new speed sound they have just learnt, for example s-p-oil = spoil.