Books, reception high frequency words and sounds.

Books, reception high frequency words and sounds.

Your child will be  given a book over the next few weeks. Please ensure that this is a fun and exciting experience for your child. These early reading years and experiences are very important and have a lasting impression on your child's attitude towards reading and books in the future. If they only sit with you for two minutes initially and it's a positive experience then that's great. It will encourage them to come back for more.

High Frequency Words. 

These are the first set of frequently used words for Reception children to read. The list given are the expectations for the Reception year. However I will provide year 1 

words for children who accomplish reading these words by sight confidently. We don't cap learning and encourage children in their reading journey. 

These words are printed in yellow boxes as children who may be dyslexic or who 

have dyslexic tendencies find it easier to read on yellow paper. Most of these sight words can't be sounded out and your child will learn them by being exposed to them frequently. 

I would advise on learning them 5 at a time and copying them on to card or paper and playing matching games and memory games with them. 

You can practise saying them in a high voice, low voice and guessing the word by hiding the last few letters in the word. Children learn sight vocabulary by recognising the letters and shapes of the words. 

You could put them up in your child's bedroom so they are exposed to them daily and incidental learning can take place at any time. If your child has yet to receive the yellow words that is because they need to master the sound cards first.

Sound cards. 

The same applies to the sounds that have been given too. Frequent incidental learning and exposure will help your child immensely. Again learn 5 at a time, make it fun. 

Use an upside down frisbee or coloured plate covered with shaving foam to practise writing and saying the sounds. Write them in coloured pens, chalk or paint and say the sounds. Children enjoy this kinaesthetic way of learning. 

We will cover these sounds during our daily Read Write inc sessions as well as guided reading time. 

Every day we go over the high frequency words and sounds (5 at a time) incidentally throughout the day to teach them and recap on their learning. Working on them daily at home will be so beneficial too. 

The children's books will be changed every week. Books and reading diaries need to be in school on a daily basis for our guided reading sessions. 

Only when they have a grasp on the first set of high frequency words (around 25) and when they know all of their sounds will I give reading books with words in them. The words and sounds are their reading practice for every night for 5  to 10 minutes.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO READ ANY OTHER BOOKS TO YOUR CHILD. THEY NEED TO SEE YOU MODEL HANDLING A BOOK AS A READER, TURNING PAGES, DISCUSSING CHARACTERS, STORY, WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER. 

THESE ARE THE FIRST STAGES IN LEARNING TO READ AND IMPORTANT TO DEVELOP INITIAL SKILLS IN BECOMING A READER.

READING DIARIES. 

Please make a note in the diary when you have read/practised the words or sounds with your child or if you have any concerns. 

 The children can write in their diaries too. Encourage them to put a smiley face if they enjoyed a story, a sad one if they disliked it. 

Ask older siblings or grandparents to go over the words and stories and make entries too. 

Please remember that children are individuals and accomplish skills at different rates and times. Not all children reach the same stages at the same age as they have different experiences. Your child is an individual and may not be on the same book or level as others whilst they are in this class. What's important is the fact that they are developing their skills and abilities at a steady rate. Regular daily practise that is fun and frequent makes the best readers. Once a week will not help and your child will have trouble memorising the sight vocabulary.

Come and see us if you need help with this. We will explain this further during parents evening in October. We will also hold Parent/Guardian reading workshops during the next month to show you how to help you help your child. If you are interested then please let us know. More information to follow on dates and times.

Thank you for your support,

Mrs James and Mrs Farrell.