At OLSK we use Read Write Inc phonics to teach our children and to help them grasp the skills of becoming fluent readers.

The children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put their energy into composing what they write.

Home Reading

We have spent time reorganising our reading scheme to fit in with RWI and ensuring that all books are phonetically plausible. This ensures that children can read their home reading books effortlessly.

This does not mean that they are too easy!

As a school we want our children to succeed at reading as this will ensure that they enjoy what they read and will read for pleasure.  I'm sure that you, as an adult, have read a book that is full of complicated words, names etc and what do we do...we give up!

As professionals, we can guarantee that your child is on the correct level corresponding to their RWI group. We encourage parents to read a variety of other books at home with their children, and some of these may be more of a challenge which you can tackle together.

The principles of the Read, Write Inc 3 Reads

Every child should be aiming to read the same books over a few evenings to link with the Read, Write Inc principles.  In teaching and learning, throughout the week the children will read the same book 3 times.  Why do we do this?

First Read

This is when the book is a 'cold' book meaning that the children haven't read it before. For this first read, you and your child can take it in turns to read a sentence or a page each. You may find that your child has a 'robotic' voice as they have to use Fred Talk or Fred Fingers to decipher unfamiliar words.

Second Read

Parents can read the book to your children and they can 'jump in' as you hesitate with some words that you are stuck with! They will love to teach you how to use your Fred Fingers to decipher words.

Your child should be able to read the book to you, developing more fluency without using Fred Fingers and you can use this opportunity to ask them questions about what they have read:

Who?

What?

When?

Where?

Why?

How?

Third Read

The third read in RWI is used to develop not only the child's fluency but their storyteller's voice. Look at punctuation and teach them how questions or exclamations sound.

Can you act out some of the text together using your storyteller's voice? Your child should then be able to read the story for the final time using their new storyteller's voice.

We understand that this is a different way of using home reading books but we hope that you and your child will develop your love of reading, together!

f - r - e - d

For more information, video clips, resources and ideas for helping your child at home please go to:

www.ruthmiskin.com/parents