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Original poster

Tell me good things about the fact that Y1 DD seems to be just repeating the phonics she did in YR

21 replies

screamingeels · 30/01/2014 21:34

DD is below average in reading. In reception they did first 26 or so sounds (they do cued articulation) which she really enjoyed but never connected it with reading books. Something we only realised last autumn.

They introduced a new reading .scheme at school last October which seems to have worked for DD, she's realised what she's supposed to be doing and has now stormed through pink and red on to yellow books - which I realise is still behind but we are really pleased at the progress.

But as she's behind she's in a small group with TA and they seem to be doing the same phonics she did in reception, practising blending and segmenting - all of which she's actually quite good at - and yet she hasn't been introduced to 'sh' 'ch' 'oa' etc.

I'm thinking about doing the extra phonics at home - but I'm not home til 6.00 so its not best time of day for DD and just wondering as long as she's not bored by it, and she doesn't seem to be, are there any possible advantages to DD practising basic phonics to death?

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Sleepyhead33 · 30/01/2014 21:47

Is she writing them as well this time round?

nonicknameseemsavailable · 30/01/2014 21:48

could she be using them for spelling and writing purposes would be my question too.

phoolani · 30/01/2014 21:52

I think it's a matter of degree - as long as she seems happy enough I'd leave it for now. Repetition is good at this age. By all means introduce another sound or two at home and see how she responds. Take your cue from her.

columngollum · 30/01/2014 21:56

Yellow books are still Year 1 reading books. There's nothing wrong in practising phonics but it's only a means to an end. If she's reading yellow books, (including the non decodable ones) OK then, by and large I expect she's well on her way to understanding the words and meanings themselves and relying less on sounding out. If that's the case I'd be getting her more reading books that she can manage from the library and worrying less about phonics per-se. If she's still relying heavily on sounding out and working out what the individual words actually mean, then by all means, more practise won't hurt.

Original poster
screamingeels · 30/01/2014 21:58

ooh fast responses - yes actually she is now using them for writing as well. Yay hadn't thought about that, that is clearly a good bringing it all together!

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Original poster
screamingeels · 30/01/2014 22:09

Possibly perversely Columngolum - school books have large non-decodable element, I get her phonics book from library. I'm a bit twitchy about it as both me and her Dad are dyslexic (me mildly) so everything I've read says phonics is really important but I have no idea to what level.

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columngollum · 30/01/2014 22:27

The phonics people will no doubt be along in a minute, but I've heard that dyslexic people find phonics easier to grasp. I think there's a dyslexic society webpage out there somewhere which goes on about how fantastic phonics is and how it would've solved all the society's president's reading problems (or somesuch.) I don't know how much you can read into this webpage or that one. But he seemed pretty pleased about it, anyway.

You strike me as able, caring, aware and committed. Counting my own chickens before I've hatched them is never a good thing. But I'd still put my money on you and your daughter coming through in fine style.

Original poster
screamingeels · 30/01/2014 22:33

Thank you CG that's lovely.

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tiredbutnotweary · 30/01/2014 23:49

For most schemes phonics books go to band orange (3 up from yellow if I remember correctly), a few schemes go further than this.

You can look at the reading chest website and also there are free ebooks on Oxford Owls, some of which are phonic ones.

MrsKCastle · 31/01/2014 07:39

My DD1 is also repeating phonics that she already knows, but with much more of a spelling focus. I can see that it's really helping her writing.

However, in your situation, I would probably introduce some more sounds at home. I'd be quite concerned that she's reached this point in Y1 without covering sh/ch/th etc. Has she done ck and double letters like bb, zz, ll?

ReallyTired · 31/01/2014 09:31

In your position I would do some phonics with her at home. I think that Jolly phonics activity books are really good

www.elc.co.uk/Jolly-Phonics-toys/5572,default,sc.html?prefn1=brand&prefv1=Jolly%20Phonics&cm_mmc=Google--Learning+%26+Educational--Product+Brand+-+Jolly+PhonicsJolly+Phonic+Activity+Books-_-jolly%20phonic%20activity%20books+-+p

or you might get a better price on amazon. Its worth getting the jolly phonics DVD to listen to in the car. Its worth knowing that that there are several ways that sounds are written.

I am sure that someone else will be along with other suggestions.

Original poster
screamingeels · 31/01/2014 13:32

I did in fact order the jolly phonics activity books yesterday ReallyTired as part of my plan to introduce some new sounds, so good to know you rate them.

On double letters Mrs KCastle - I don't really know, I know she did ll, ss, zz, oo and ee in Reception and reads/ recognises them well. I don't know where they are up to in her Y1 group.

I'm trying really hard to think positively about the school, one of the reasons we chose them is that they are so caring and supportive to every child, but it does all seem a bit vague and untargeted to DD's learning needs.

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Original poster
screamingeels · 31/01/2014 16:08

oh and she can blend constonants: sp, tr, spl etc. and do two syllable words - its just she doesn't seem to have been taught many phase 3 phonics. She's just getting very good at phase 2 Smile Smile

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mrz · 31/01/2014 17:40

If she has only been taught 26ish sounds then no wonder she is behind .. sorry not helpful but no good reason why she should be going over what she did last year.

HobbetInTheHeadlights · 31/01/2014 18:09

If you can find 10 minutes a day

www.soundfoundationsbooks.co.uk/

the Bear Necessities books. They come with flash cards of phonics sounds and there are more than 26 sounds (41 green ones then another 18 blue after those) but you add gradually and go through every session. Then there are blending practice bits after that.

It's made a huge difference to our younger 2 DC and their reading.

Original poster
screamingeels · 31/01/2014 20:02

I had forgotten about Bear necessities, I have seen them recommended on here before. Thanks Hobbet, I've just ordered one... I'm sure we can find 10 minutes.

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toomuchicecream · 01/02/2014 08:03

Bear Necessities is doing great things for my struggling readers!

Blueandwhitelover · 01/02/2014 22:57

Read write inc, is the scheme I recommend. It's amazing and I've seen huge progress with children of all ages.

mrz · 02/02/2014 07:25

If you have an ipad you might want to look at itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id769196201?mt=8&affId=1736887

Original poster
screamingeels · 02/02/2014 20:37

Sadly no i-pad. I'll have to stick to books and paper for a bit.

I know i need to go and see her teacher again but its difficult to arrange, i have to get time off work, and tends to be massively underwhelming when i do go.

Hence my decision to just go with whatever school are doing for a bit, supplement at home and see how it goes until parents eve in March.

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