We have recently moved to our new phonics scheme- Read Write Inc (RWI). Your child has been placed in a RWI group for their phonics learning. The children will go to their group for an hour a day where they will learn their sounds, read a book and complete a writing task based on the book they have been reading. Previously, we had a lesson on reading and writing separately, along with 30 minutes of phonics. However, we now do our writing within our RWI session which means we don't have a stand alone lesson on writing. During our reading lesson (and other lessons across the timetable), there are plenty of writing opportunities for the children. This change in our timetable has meant we have more time for other literacy activities such as speaking and listening activities, role play and drama, handwriting practise, learning Year 1 common exception words, and looking at spelling, grammar and punctuation. 

RWI (phonics)

As already stated, your child has been put into a phonics group which they go to daily to learn and practise their sounds, to read a story that they can decode with the sounds they've already learnt and to do a writing task that links with their book. Your child's RWI teacher will send home a book that your child can read with confidence. This means that for some children, their book may seem a little easy for them however, we want children to feel confident in their reading and to build fluency. This is also why we expect the children to read their RWI book at least 3 times a week if not more. Re-reading a book helps a children develop fluency and expression. Your child's RWI teacher will change your child's book on a Monday and the expectation is that your child's phonics book is in school at all times as there are plenty of opportunities for Miss Smith and Miss Inagmells  to hear your child read. Your child will also be set homework on the Oxford Owl website from Thursday to Thursday. The homework is based on the book that your child is reading. You will be sent the ebook version as well as a quiz. Your child will also have the chance every week to borrow a book from our school library. This is a book that children aren't expected to read but instead for you to share with your child, to show a love of reading. If you have any questions about RWI and your child's reading, please don't hesitate to speak to Miss Smith. 

Reading

This term, we have some exciting books to read. Our traditional tale is 'Hansel and Gretel' which is about two children who fall into the hands of an evil witch who lives in a house made of gingerbread. We are then going to be reading the Tale of Peter Rabbit which is Miss Smith's favourite book. This story is about a mischievous rabbit called Peter and his family. Peter Rabbit is warned by his mother not to enter the vegetable garden as Mr. McGregor put Peter's dad in a pie after he entered the garden. We will also be looking at some non-fiction books that relate to our learning in topic and science. One about castles and another about the weather. Towards the end of the term we will be looking at poetry from the book 'Here's a Little Poem'.