Teachers: can anyone recommend book for phonics activities for years 2 and 3?

[Giganticusbottomus]

It's really hard to think of new games/activities when you are doing phonics every day, I need inspiration! Thanks

Why do you need games? Why don't you just teach them phonics?

I think the idea that phonics needs to be all singing and dancing games comes from Letters & Sounds and often the "games" get in the way of actual learning for those children who find learning to read and write most difficult.

I'm no longer teaching but have dc in 2 and 3.Have used Schofield and Simms that complement LandS.Bit dry and the early ones are a bit easy for older kids but the Phase 5 and 6 not too bad.

I know what you mean Mrz but equally very dry chalk and talk is discouraged too (see, i can patronise too, hooray!)
What sort of activities do you do for phonics then Mrz?

Prairie - thanks, I'll have a look for schofield and sims.

I don't think that there is much that is better than actually reading books for practising phonics knowledge and skills! There are plenty of decodable schemes around which will cover all the stuff taught in the L & S 'phases' (if that is how you want to do it!).

Links to decodable schemes HERE

For promoting automatic recall of 'shaky' correspondences I'd use a quick flashcard drill before reading text which enabled practice in using them and revisit them frequently. You could do some 'phoneme spotting' and, of course, spelling with focus graphemes; segmenting spoken words, spelling each sound and then checking by sounding out and blending the resultant written word. Because, of course, both spelling and reading help to consolidate phonic knowledge.

There are some nice card games on the market called 'TRUGS' though they might be of limited use once the children are familiar with the words on the cards...

Sign up to phonicsplay website, it is very reasonable. My class of Y1s love it.

It really depends where the children are in their phonics knowledge.
I would expect by Y2/3 most to be secure with all alternative ways to write the 44 sounds so would be focusing on decoding text (including sound hunt in the given text if appropriate) and quick write words and text. I would also be doing lots of work on suffixes and prefixes - when to double the final consonant -irregular verbs. Lots of show me- lots of manipulating sounds - using individual white boards and the IWB.

To be honest you need to find out what phase they're at as that would help a lot.

Year 2 are at phase 5. Not sure about year 3 yet.

Thanks maizie. Yes, all the stuff you mention is what I am doing.
I agree reading is really the BEST way because there are so many variations of spelling for each sound that really, learning the words which use each sound and being able to recall graphically is vital, particularly for the extending to suffixes etc. Otherwise how are children meant to know which variation they apply to a specific word?

Mrz- not all the yr2 are secure yet on writing the 44 sounds - I wouldn't expect that a the end of yr1/begin of yr2, not sure about this particular yr3 class yet but yes, I would expect them to be secure.

Although I, obviously see the value in phonics I do worry that the children will be mentally rolling their eyes and tuning out at yet another phonics session! The point of asking about ideas for games/activities is to avoid the individual whiteboard/carpet sessions again and again and again. At the beginning of yr2 they will still only be 6yrs old, I want to inject a bit of fun into it.

I will have a look at phonics play, thanks.

Mrz- not all the yr2 are secure yet on writing the 44 sounds

Where are they on phase 5 ... beginning or completed?

They have completed it but I would still say many of them are not secure. Off the top of my head I would say the lowest quarter aren't.

Do you use Letters & Sounds ?

Why all the questions?

I thought you wanted some help

I do but this is more like an interegation with no help! I was just asking for some ideas for fun ways to teach phonics, maybe a book, not an in depth discussion about my class.
Yes we use letters and sounds.

It's fine I'm sure someone will be along to offer help without knowing what programme you use or where the children are ...

Fgs, Giganticus, for someone asking for help you are ludicrously touchy. Read back at the questions you have been asked and you will see they are entirely relevant to ascertaining the kind of help you need.

I can't see you getting much further help if you continue to be so snippy, it's totally unnecessary.

Oh I am being snippy I know but if you read the first two replies I got, maybe you will see why. What I wanted was just a couple of ideas or a book, I'm trying to be a better teacher, help the children enjoy phonics, stay engaged and not be bored stupid by them! I wasn't suggesting singing/dancing or trying to get in the way of the children's learning

I've said where the yr2 class are and what programme we use,I don't know about yr3, I haven't had them before. Short of providing their inside leg measurements I don't know what else you need to know!

Thanks for those who have offered help though

You are being snippy because someone offered an alternative opinion ..

You didn't say which age group or which programme until asked but that also offended you ...

Good Luck

Explode the Code is great. The later books probably for that age.

The age group was in the title.

I was snippy because of the (I felt) patronising tone that was immediately taken tbh but i can see there is no value in this discussion so I will email some teacher friends and see if they can help. I have seen you post on many education threads mrz and I usually appreciate your knowledge and advice. I am an experienced teacher just trying to get better at my job, hardly crime of the century.

Thanks kits, I'll have a look

It's an American programme and doesn't really match with L&S or SP.

You are welcome.