“Assessment is built in from the start, identifying gaps and building knowledge and confidence in the application.”
Why do we need another scheme to teach children the phonic skills needed to be able to read? Well, the answer is simple. Approximately 20% of children are still failing to learn to read to an adequate standard through class-based schemes. So why is ReadingWise English different?
- From the outset, single letters are taught, with strong visual cues, but these are linked to an original cartoon story giving context and greater understanding to learning.
- This individual programme is IT-based and is not dependent on high levels of adult support.
- Assessment is built in from the start, identifying gaps and building knowledge and confidence in the application.
- All the familiar skills such as segmenting and blending of words are developed within the programme but this programme also includes stages such as the ability to aurally distinguish, build, blend and record the first two letters of words.
- Sound bites and graphics support learning throughout with strong links to build sound/symbol recognition.
- New knowledge carefully links to prior learning giving the right balance between familiarity and new learning /challenge, building confidence and competence.
- Application of skills is extended further to include three syllable, adventurous vocabulary, continuing learning beyond that of existing programmes.
Bev Ball, headteacher, Brook Valley CE Primary School, Wiltshire, UK
