Reading And Phonics
At Thomasson Memorial we believe that children learn to read best using a variety of approaches regardless of their preferred modality of language. The methods we use include Signed English, phonics, visual phonics, repetition of familiar stories to promote the learning of new language, direct teaching of book language and comprehension.
We celebrate the written word in all aspects of our curriculum and in our environment. The children are taught to read both on an individual basis and within shared or guided reading groups.We have a range of reading schemes which use varied approaches to the teaching of reading and develop wide reading vocabulary. These books cover a range of genre to appeal to all interests.
Our main core reading scheme is:
Oxford Reading Tree
This is supplemented by:
- Rigby Star
- Collins Big Cats
- Wellington Square
Children are also encouraged to borrow library books to share at home with parents.
Phonics is one aspect of a range of methods used to teach reading. Phonics is differentiated on the child’s audiological ability and taught accordingly. Children are encouraged to apply the phonics to their reading and writing activities throughout the curriculum.
The phonics scheme used is: Letters and Sounds
We also use Visual Phonics by Hand. This is a system of handcues for teaching and using phonics with deaf children. Using the two-handed fingerspelling alphabet as a starting point, it capitalises on the ability many young deaf children have. It offers a quick tool to show the phonemes in English speech and spelling. It overlays any published phonics schemes to give greater access for deaf children.