Reception Class
In Reception Class we use Jolly Phonics to support the teaching of early reading and writing skills whilst following the DfE's Letters and Sounds programme. Jolly Phonics uses songs, images and actions to embed the children's learning.
In Term 1 we teach Phase 1 of the Letters and Sounds programme, focusing on developing pre-reading and writing skills through activities such as listening walks, playing musical instruments, body percussion, musical statues, and games such as "What's that noise?" or "I spy", all of which help children to "tune in" to sounds and develop their "listening ears!" We also enjoy lots of opportunities for mark making!
Later in Term 1 and into Term 2 we begin Phase 2 of Letters and Sounds, where we start to teach the children the sounds (phonemes) that are represented by letters (graphemes). We learn 4 new phonemes a week and the children are also taught "Superpower" words (words that cannot be sounded out). The phonemes and Superpower words are taught in a set pattern and every day the children have the opportunity to rehearse the phonemes they have already been taught.
Phonics is taught daily as a whole class. It is an fun and interactive session that lasts no longer than 20 minutes.
Please see below a video of the correct pronunciation of phonemes we teach in Reception Class.