In Year 2, your child will continue to be taught phonics and reading using the RWI (Read, Write, Inc) programme until they are ready to exit the programme.  The RWI programme ensures that your child learns how to 'read' the sounds in words and how these sounds can be written down.  This is essential for reading, but it also helps children learn how to spell well.  We teach children simple ways of remembering these sounds and letters.

The children also practise reading (and spelling) what we call 'tricky words', such as 'once' and 'said'.  They practise reading with books that match their phonics and the 'tricky words' they know.  They start believing in themselves as successful readers and this does wonders for their confidence. Each week we will send home the RWI paper copy of the book your child is reading in class with their teacher and a Book Bag Book which is also matched to your child's phonic ability. We will also send home spellings each Friday to be learnt for the following week.

Children who have successfully completed the programme move on to RWI spelling and Whole Class Reading using picture books, poetry and class novels carefully chosen to help them meet age related expectations in Year 2.

Read Write Inc- How to help at home

What can you do to help at home?

1. Practise the sounds and phrases sent home
2. Practise reading the sounds speedily - ‘review, review, review’
3. Use ‘Special Friends’, ‘Fred Talk’, read the word’ to read words.

There are free video tutorials on our website – www.ruthmiskin.com

Select ‘Find out more’ at the top, then ‘Parents’ from the drop-down list.

Also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/miskin.education

Free e-books for home reading:

http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading/

Reading stories to your child

What can you do to help at home?

1. Read the same stories aloud again and again
2. Read with enthusiasm – love each story
3. Use a range of vocabulary with your child.

There are free video tutorials on the Ruth Miskin website – www.ruthmiskin.com

Select ‘More and International’ at the top, then ‘Home reading’ from the drop-down list

Also on Facebook – www.facebook.com/miskin.education

Free e-books for home reading:

http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/Reading/

Ten top tips

1. Make reading to your child feel like a treat. Introduce each new book with excitement.
2. Make it a special quiet time and cuddle up so both of you can see the book.
3. Show curiosity in what you’re going to read: Oh no! I think Arthur is going to get even angrier now.
4. Read the whole story the first time through without stopping too much. If you think your child might not understand something, model an explanation: Oh I think what’s happening here is that…
5. Chat about the story: I wonder why he did that? Oh no, I hope she’s not going to… I wouldn’t have done that, would you?
6. Avoid asking questions to test what your child remembers.
7. Link stories to your own experiences (e.g. This reminds me of…)
8. Read favourite stories over and over again. Get your child to join in with the bits they know.
9. Read with enthusiasm. Don’t be embarrassed to try out different voices. Your child will love it.
10. Read with enjoyment. If you’re not enjoying it, your child won’t.

Useful websites to help you choose books for your child at home

Our storybooks this term (Spring 1)

Our storybooks this term (Spring 2)

Poems:

- Firefly by Jacqueline Woodson.

- Two of a Kind by Nikki Grimes.

- Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou.