Read Write Inc. is a whole-school approach to teaching phonics for children aged 4 to 9, which creates and develops fluent readers, confident speakers and willing writers.

Read Write Inc. Phonics is a daily session that helps children to build up sound knowledge and recognition.

Most children have achieved the the first step which is to learn the 'Set 1 Sounds' and all of the 'special friends' (two letters one sound) It is crucial to ensure children continue to pronounce the sounds correctly. 

sh th ch nk ng qu ff ss zz ck

At this point in the year all children should be able to read and write words which include the special friends above. (So they should be on Photocopied Ditty group or above!)

By the end of the Reception year ALL children should be in Green or Purple RWI Groups. 

Some children will have progressed further and will be focusing on the tasks below...

Ditty Group

In a "Ditty Group" within the Read Write Inc (RWI) phonics program, children focus on practicing blending basic sounds (Set 1 sounds) together to read simple, repetitive sentences called "ditties" which are short stories with very controlled vocabulary, allowing them to apply their phonics skills to read a continuous text while still consolidating their knowledge of foundational sounds. 

Key points about Ditty Group:

Early stage of reading:

This group is for children who are just starting to read and need to practice blending sounds together to decode words. 

Set 1 sounds:

Children in the Ditty Group are primarily focusing on the very first set of phonics sounds, often called "speed sounds". 

Simple stories:

The "ditties" are short, repetitive stories with basic vocabulary that use only the sounds they have learned. 

Blending practice:

The main activity is to practice blending the sounds in the words to read the sentences in the ditty book. 

Progression to more complex reading:

Once children are confident reading ditties, they can move on to reading more complex stories with a wider range of sounds. 

Red Group: 

In a "Red Group" in Read Write Inc (RWI), children focus on consolidating their knowledge of Set 1 phonics sounds, learning to blend them together to read simple words, and specifically practice reading "red words" (tricky words that can't be easily sounded out) through short, repetitive texts called "Ditty Books.".

Key points about Red Group RWI:

Focus on Set 1 Sounds:

Children in Red Group are expected to know all the basic Set 1 sounds very well and can "Fred Talk" (say the sounds in a word) most words.

Red Words Practice:

The main focus is on learning and practicing "red words" which are high-frequency words that don't follow typical phonics rules, like "the," "go," "to," and "said".

Ditty Books:

These short, simple stories are specifically designed for Red Group and contain mostly Set 1 sounds with a few "red words" mixed in, allowing children to practice reading with familiar sounds while gradually introducing tricky words.

Repetition and Practice:

Lessons in Red Group involve repeated reading of Ditty books, often with a focus on identifying and reading the "red words" accurately.

Green Group:

In a "Green Group" in Read Write Inc (RWI), children focus on consolidating their knowledge of Set 1 phonics sounds, meaning they can confidently blend and sound out simple words, often practicing with "green words" which are decodable words they can read using their learned sounds, while also starting to introduce a few Set 2 sounds and reading "Green" level storybooks that utilize those sounds; essentially, it's a stage where children are becoming fluent readers with basic phonics skills.

Key points about Green Group RWI:

Sound focus:

Primarily practicing Set 1 sounds with a gradual introduction of some Set 2 sounds.

"Green words":

Reading and practicing words that can be easily sounded out using the learned phonics sounds.

Storybooks:

Reading "Green" level storybooks which incorporate the practiced sounds and green words.

"Fred Talk":

A strategy where children sound out words by saying each sound slowly, often using a character named Fred to visualize the process.