The teaching of reading and phonics
We believe that learning to read should be an exciting and meaningful experience. This means that children need to be taught to read through skilful teaching using methods appropriate to the child’s needs.
At Gooseacre Primary Academy we have a structured approach to both the teaching of phonics and reading.
We use a structured phonics programme in the Foundation Stage and in Years One and Two. This programme is based upon letters and Sounds and Jolly Phonics. In our phonic sessions, we teach phonemic awareness which is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate phonemes (smallest units of sound). The aim is to enable beginning readers to decode new written words by sounding them out (known as blending). Where necessary the programme is also used within Key Stage 2.
Guided Reading is the method used to teach individual children to become fluent in reading and comprehension skills of inference and deduction. Children are taught according to their individual needs in small groups set according to ability. Guided reading sessions are daily from 9am in Years 1- 6.
We use a range of published reading schemes within the academy, these being Rigby Star, Rigby Navigator, Bug Club, Story Words and Read Write Inc. Alongside the schemes, story books and texts relevant to the children’s interests are used in order to develop a life- long love of reading.