Year 1

We understand that some of the language we use to teach phonics at school can be quite confusing! Below is a link to a guide to some of the technical language we use to teach your children with explanations of what the words mean. If you’d like any further clarification on any of these terms please speak to your child’s teacher who will be happy to help.

Phonics for Parents - Guide

Books

The new reading scheme we are going to be using at Oasis Academy Marksbury Road is called Rhino Readers. These books are phonetically decodable and follow the pattern of sounds and tricky words children have learnt in phonics. This ensures that children are only being given books with sounds and tricky words they have already learnt. Children will be given a physical book once a week to take home, by keeping the book for a whole week this will allow children to secure the sounds taught in school whilst also building on fluency and comprehension. These books will be called the ‘Learn to Read Books’. Below, you can find some suggestions on how to use these books over a week at home.

Step 1: Look at the first page to practise sounds and Tricky Words.

Step 2: Read the story.

Step 3: Can you find focus sounds in the story outlined on the first page?

Step 4: Re-tell the story in your own words.

Step 5: Re-read the story to build fluency.

Step 6: Tell your adult what you like and dislike about the story. Step 6: Rhino challenge on the last page.

E-Library

If you would like to access another book in the week, children have access to the Rhino Reader eBook library on their iPads or any electronic device. There is a range of fiction and nonfiction texts. Children’s logins can be found on their iPad.

When children get to Year 1, they will be allowed to take an Oasis Academy Marksbury Book. This will allow them to be exposed to different sounds, words and stories. We understand that these texts will not be phonetically decodable however we encourage you to read these with your child. Children will be allowed to swap these as when they wish. They will be clearly marked on the inside with an Oasis stamp. This will really help to promote a love for reading and is the most wonderful gift you can give your child. Once children have passed the Phonics Screening, they will move on to Phase 6 on Rhino readers, before starting accelerated readers. In Year 1 children do not have set reading day so please ensure that their Learn to Read book and reading record are brought into school every day. The Year 1 team will try to read with every child once a week but please note that due to other school activities this is not always possible. Parent/carers are invited into the academy for a reading workshop on Monday 7th November at 5pm. This will cover the new Rhino reading scheme, how we deliver phonics, and preparation of the Phonics Screening Check. This is aimed at adults however we do understand that you may need to bring your children with you.