How is Read, Write, Inc taught?

All children are assessed regularly by our Reading Lead so they work with children at the same level. This allows complete participation in lessons.

Nursery

When appropriate, children will be introduced to the RWI mnemonics and the initial sounds in short five minutes sessions.

Follow this link for the mnemonics

Reception

In Reception all children will learn how to ‘read’ the sounds in words and how those sounds can be written down. The sounds are taught in the following order These are the Set 1 Speed Sounds written with one letter:

m  a  s  d  t  i  n  p  g  o  c  k  u  b  f  e  l  h  r  j  v  y  w  z  x

These are the sounds written with two letters (your child will call these ‘special friends’):

sh  th  ch  qu  ng  nk  ck

Reading

The children:

• learn 44 sounds and the corresponding letters/letter groups using simple picture prompts 

• learn to read words using Fred talk and sound blending

• read from a range of storybooks and non-fictions books matched to their phonic knowledge

• work well with partners

• develop comprehension skills in stories by answering 'Fastest Finger' and 'Have a Think' discussion questions

Writing

The children:

• learn to write and form the letters/letter groups which represent the 44 sounds with the help of fun phrases

• learn to write words by using Fred Talk

• learn to build sentences by practising sentences out loud before they write 

Talking

The children

• They work in pairs so that they:

• answer every question

• practise every activity with their partner

• take turns in talking and reading to each other

• develop ambitious vocabulary

End of Reception and Year One & Year Two

Children follow the same format as Reception but will work on complex sounds and read books appropriate to their reading level. The four sessions a week of RWI phonics last for 50 minutes and include a book changing session on day five.

These are the Set 2 Speed Sounds:

ay  ee  igh  ow (as in blow)  oo (as in zoo)

oo (as in look) ar  or  air  ir  ou (as in out)  oy

Learning Set 3 Speed Sounds

These are Set 3 Speed Sounds:

ea (as in tea)

oi (as in spoil)

a–e (as in cake)

i–e (as in smile)

o–e (as in home)

u–e (as in huge) 

aw (as in yawn)

are (as in care)

ur (as in nurse)

er  (as in letter)

ow (as in brown)

ai  (as in snail)

oa (as in goat)

ew (as in chew)

ire (as in fire)

ear (as in hear)

ure (as in pure)

Five key principles underpin the teaching in all Read Write Inc. sessions:  

Purpose – know the purpose of every activity and share it with the children, so they know the one thing they should be thinking about

Participation – ensure every child participates throughout the lesson. Partnership work is fundamental to learning

Praise – ensure children are praised for effort and learning, not ability

Pace – teach at an effective pace and devote every moment to teaching and learning

Passion – be passionate about teaching so children can be engaged emotionally.