Following a review of the teaching and learning of phonics within EYFS, Year 1 and Year 2, we have decided to introduce a new scheme to enhance teaching and learning within school. Our new scheme is called Monster Phonics - this is a multi-sensory phonics programme.
Different to any other scheme, Monster Phonics uses colour to consistently code for key graphemes in English. Colour shows children how to pronounce the most difficult aspects of reading. It is unique in that it uses character (monster) phoneme cues and colour coding to represent the long vowel sounds, silent letters and tricky letters. With Monster Phonics, spellings are more memorable, and learning to read and spell becomes exciting and fun!
Please see the attached letter for more information.
Monster Phonics - letter to parents
https://monsterphonics.com/ - website link
TALK THROUGH STORIES
At Salterhebble, we use Talk Through Stories in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. This is designed to extend and deepen children's vocabulary so that they can understand the books they will soon be able tor read for themselves. In story time, we help children to get to know the story really well: the plot, the characters and their actions in motives. In vocabulary time, we explore eight words from the story. These words have been specifically selected to develop children's understanding of each work in the context of their everyday lives.
Reciprocal Reading
Across KS2, we use Reciprocal Reading which is a structured and scaffolded approach that emphasises mainly on a discussion technique to teach strategies that the children can use to improve their reading comprehension. This teaching technique incorporates four main strategies: prediction, clarification, questioning and summarisation. Children need to master each strategy and apply it correctly to the reading process to be successful and confident readers. The strategies that are the underlying factors of this method of teaching are utilised every time a person reads. It encourages children to become 'active' readers and to be more involved in their own learning. Due to the large amount of emphasis placed on discussion, it also promotes and develop speaking and listening skills. Once the children have demonstrated a secure understanding and comprehension of the text, they are able to demonstrate this in comprehension style questions.
Our 50-Book Reading Challenge
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we were thrilled to launch three, 50-book reading challenges, each spanning across two-year groups. Each challenge contains a huge range of specially chosen authors, genres and vocabulary designed to introduce children to the most moving, exciting and entertaining books aimed at their specific age group. We know that these challenges will help our children to discover the magic of reading!
Writing
At Salterhebble we believe that all pupils should be able to confidently communicate their knowledge, ideas and emotions through their writing. We want pupils to acquire a wide vocabulary, a solid understanding of grammar and be able to spell new words by effectively applying the spelling patterns and rules they learn throughout their time at Salterhebble. We want them to write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences. We believe that all pupils should be encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their writing, in part by developing a neat, joined handwriting style. We believe that all good writers refine and edit their writing over time, so we want children to develop independence in being able to identify their own areas for improvement in all pieces of writing, editing their work effectively during and after the writing process.
