Raising standards in KS1 and Special Needs: helping every child to succeed.
I have taught systematic phonics to all ages and abilities for over 30 years. My teaching degree was in Environmental Studies and I hate to see science reduced to box-ticking when there is so much to discover about the wonderful world we live in.
So, I produce Phonic resources that meet the real needs of children and teachers, along with science resources to engage children in learning about the natural world.
Raising standards in KS1 and Special Needs: helping every child to succeed.
I have taught systematic phonics to all ages and abilities for over 30 years. My teaching degree was in Environmental Studies and I hate to see science reduced to box-ticking when there is so much to discover about the wonderful world we live in.
So, I produce Phonic resources that meet the real needs of children and teachers, along with science resources to engage children in learning about the natural world.
A colourful chart to show the sounds of Levels 1 and 2 of Reading Made Simple - a 100% FREE phonic reading and spelling prgramme that works where others have failed.
Use as handy prompt, to help the pupil find the correct digraph when spelling
Use to practice saying the sounds made by each group of letters
Laminate and use as a place mat, or pin it up as a poster!
Learners will enjoy tracking their progress each week and testing themselves!
Reading Made Simple: https://readingmadesimple.weebly.com/
Find the FREE word lists to accompany the Level 1 teaching programme here:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12889313
Here is a pack of flashcards to help in the teaching of phonics. Start by teaching the initial sounds, then practice the five vowels especially as you start to build CVC/CCVC/CVCC words with a short vowel, then introduce the most common digraphs:
ck, oo, ee sh, ch, th ng, or, ar, a-e, i-e, o-e, u-e, ai,ea, oa, igh, ir, ay, ou, aw, oi, ur, al, er, y, ow, ew and oy.
More more help in using them see:
https://readingmadesimple.weebly.com/level-1-teaching-notes.html
See also the Reading Made Simple digraphs reading books: fully systematic, containing words that can be sounded using previously taught digraphs and only introducing key, non-phonic vocabulary slowly. These books restore confidence to readers who have failed with other reading programmes.
https://readingmadesimple.weebly.com/level-1-reading-books.html
An easy phonic reader about spring flowers for those beginning to read longer simple texts - with words that can be sounded out using phonic knowledge and only a few most common sight words.
Learn about garden flowers through a simple story. Learn Science at the same time!
See more at [KS1 Nature]https://ks1nature.weebly.com/)
A bright, 26 slide PowerPoint/video to help children to learn the initial sounds.
One slide per lesson.
Can the children find the objects that start with the given sound?
Can they find the odd ones out (there are two on each slide that do not begin with the given sound).
What sound do these begin with? (They will be sounds already learned, except for ‘Aa’.)
Good for revision and to help those having trouble hearing initial sounds.
Great for home learning.
Pause the video/Power Point as necessary to give your child time to answer.
This is a listening game to help the child to hear the ‘oo’ sound in words, as different to the ‘o’ sound as some children have difficulty hearing the new ‘oo’ sound.
One of my pupils has a speech delay. When I introduced him to ‘oo’, he tried to sound out the words saying ‘o’ instead of ‘oo’. It was as if ‘oo’ was a foreign sound to him. So, I devised this game to help him to hear the ‘oo’ sound in words he uses frequently in speech. After playing it a few times he is now happily sounding out to read and spell words with the ‘oo’ sound.
This game uses only the ‘oo’ sound as heard in ‘moon’.
For more help teaching phonics, see my FREE Phonic reading and Spelling programme, Reading Made Simple. https://readingmadesimple.weebly.com/level-1---oo.html
How to teach phonics effectively is a resource to help schools improve their delivery of phonics, through which ever programme they choose.
The author has 30 years experience of teaching phonics, both in a main stream school, where she had responsibility for the teaching of phonics throughout the whole school and with individual, special needs children.
She draws on her experience of helping both parents and teachers to use phonics to best effect.
Here are 12, FREE to download, phonic reading books to support the blending of CCVC words with a short vowel sound, for the very earliest stages of learning to read with phonics.
Suitable for use with all phonic programmes.
The focus is purely on sounding out with only the key words
** I, and go, to**
being gradually introduced.
Pictures are minimal to encourage the child to gain meaning from the text and not to guess.
Phonic words are introduced and then met again in subsequent readers, to help develop confidence and fluency.
The stories are based around farmer Tom with his animals, his wife, his son Sam and daughter, Pam, dog Jiff and the cat.
Highly suitable for special needs children who have failed with other programmes.
Many parents have told me they wished they had found these books sooner, or had found them at all, as they would have been ideal for their struggling reader.
They have been thoroughly tested by my current pupils all of whom are boys. Even my nine-year old boy pupil loves them. He is just so glad to be able to read.
For more help see READING MADE SIMPLE, the 100% FREE, systematic, synthetic phonic reading and/or spelling programme.
20 winter vocabulary cards, all phonetically coded.
Use for:
display
Word walls
Language development
Reading and spelling phonic work
Make picture dictionaries to go with your topic work
Use them in pocket charts - children just love these!
Science work and much more…
Use your imagination!
20 spring vocabulary cards, all phonetically coded.
Use for:
display
Word walls
Language development
Reading and spelling phonic work
Make picture dictionaries to go with your topic work
Use them in pocket charts - children just love these!
Science work and much more…
Use your imagination!
10 Squirrel photos: all original and beautiful.
In two forms:
A4 for class display use and
A6 for use by children on the table for writing, comparing, sorting etc… these can be used with our other photos packs.
Use for:
Display
To encourage scientific working methods: compare, sort, group, use photo to find answers, notice patterns and relationships
To encourage the development of English skills (speaking and writing).
And for any purpose you can think of!
Used with our Squirrel PowerPoint
and Squirrel Worksheets you will have everything for a great lesson!
A colouring page for every letter of the alphabet. Colour the things that begin with each sound. One object on each page (except A) starts with the previous initial sound. Can the child find it?
Encourage neat colouring to aid pencil control.
Correct phonic ‘i’ sound and ‘q’ written with ‘u’.
I made these sheets for one of my pupils who is delayed in speech. He loved colouring and this was a way to motivate him. They helped him to successfully learn all 26 initial sounds.
They can be used by all children and though suitable for use with all schemes, do progress in order - so if the phonic programme your child/ren is/are using does not follow the order of the alphabet, then maybe wait until all of the sounds have been taught.
If you are teaching your own child, you may be interested in our totally FREE, phonic, reading and spelling programme, Reading Made Simple.
Learn about Oak trees with our simple first factual decodable reading book plus a PowerPoint to make guided reading easier.
With only common basic digraphs and trigraphs it will enable your early readers to tackle this subject confidently.
Short with only 8 pages
New vocabulary is highlighted on the page where it is first met.
Everything is explained in simple language and accompanied by photos and drawings.
A clear, easy-to-read font.
The 8-slide PowerPoint has a screen to block off text until revealed and a marker to run under the text as the child/ren read/s.
It is ideal for use when studying a topic on trees or autumn.
Use it for guided reading sessions or for reading comprehension work.
Suited for both classroom use, small group and online tutoring.
This is a pack of 12 phonic worksheets to teach ‘I-E’ (silent ‘e’, Magic ‘e’, Long Vowels) words.
These ‘I-E’ Phonic Worksheets can be used with very young children, although I made them for children who have processing difficulties and need more systematic teaching.
They are:
highly systematic
have a limited amount on each page as these pupils tire easily.
Pupils should be confident blending with consonant blends (Phase 4 Letters and Sounds for example).
I use ‘Sound-it-out boxes’ for new words, where digraphs are grouped together to give the child the visual reminder to make one sound.
The worksheets include activities to:
Develop blending and segmenting
Give needed repetition to to develop word recognition
Develop phonemic awareness - much needed by early learners
Tracking activities - to see and recognise the new sound in words
Comprehension activities
Writing practice
Reading of longer passages
Fluency triangles
Lots of repetition builds confidence and success! Help a struggling reader today.
You will find it hard to find such a comprehensive programme of systematic phonic instruction for a special needs child for such a price.
This Silent E set of decodable books forms a continuation of the Reading Made Simple phonic, graded, reading scheme covering sounds a-e, i-e, o-e and u-e. There are 9 books with 4 matching ‘workbooks’, one for each sound.
Popular with home educators, These books can also be used where other programmes have failed.
This set follows:
CVC Readers
Consonant Blends Readers
If your child has been left behind in school or is not making progress in reading, then try Reading Made Simple. It will teach the same things as your child’s school phonic programme but in a more structured way.
This part of the programme follows on from our CVC Words Reading Books and Workbooks and our Consonant Blends Reading books.
This pack of graded reading books further develop reading ability by introducing the Silent or Magic ‘E’ rule
If you are looking for a phonic reading program for your child, look no further, whether you want to give your child a head start in reading, or have a child who has fallen behind at school. As these books are so highly structured they have been tried and tested to help those with even profound difficulties. It just takes an adult to understand the programme, and apply it diligently, with awareness of their child’s needs and every child can read.
These books can be coupled with my free spelling /writing programme which can be found at Reading Made Simple, to form a complete, FREE literacy programme.
Many home educators already use this programme with excellent results.
You will find it hard to find a reading programme like this, for a cheaper price.
It is easy enough for a parent to use and to help their child - many already do.
Special Features of these graded phonic reading books:
The books are graded and therefore should be read in sound order as listed above, as each builds on the one before.
They only use the sight words: he, we, me, be, she, so, give, have, says. they, are
The pictures are minimal and do not encourage guessing so meaning has to be gleaned from the text.
Each book tells a simple story with humour where possible
They have been tested on many children, including some with profound difficulties.
Matching workbooks consolidate and revise learning.
Vocabulary repeats so aiding reading fluency and building security and confidence.
They are based on the latest research and evidence-based methods.
If your child is struggling to learn to read for whatever reason, these books can help.
Who are the graded phonic reading books for?
These books can be used by older struggling readers with dyslexia or any with a processing difficulty of any kind.
Parents
Classroom assistants
Private tutors
Home educators
Reading intervention
They were written for Reading MadeSimple but can be used with Letters and Sounds Phases 3 and RWI Speed Set 2.
Full instructions, including a suggested lesson plan and hints for hearing a child read, are included.
You can help a struggling reader today.
For more help please see Reading Made Simple.
A fun, animated PowerPoint to introduce children to the consonant blends SL featuring the lovable character, SLIMMY SLUG!
As you tell the story, which is written under each slide for use in Presentation Mode or on the accompanying PDF, stretch out the key words containing the focus blend: SLLLimmy SLLLug to help children hear the blend.
At the end of the story, 2 slides help you to teach the children to blend the two sounds together to make the blend SL and then further slides encourage the children to help you to retell the story as you highlight the key words containing each blend.
The PowerPoint ends with an interactive puzzle: can the children tell you which things begin with the blend SL? Watch the pictures spin if correct and disappear if incorrect!
An SL worksheet is included for follow up.
Close your lesson with a plenary session, reviewing the key words containing the FL blend.
Written to help a disallusioned 8-yr-old who had already failed to read despite 2 phonic programmes, I needed a way to get his attention. It worked and he loved these simple PowerPoint presentations and was soon reading and spelling words with consonant blends.
Suitable for distance/on-line learning, in school, at home and for home education.
Find also:
FR PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12907479
FL PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12907482
See also our consonant blends, leveled, FREE reading books!
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12645240
A fun, animated PowerPoint to introduce children to the consonant blends FL featuring the lovable character, FLAPPY FLY!
As you tell the story, which is written under each slide for use in Presentation Mode or on the accompanying PDF, stretch out the key words containing the focus blend: FLLLappy FLLLy to help children hear the blend.
At the end of the story, 2 slides help you to teach the children to blend the two sounds together to make the blend FL and then further slides encourage the children to help you to retell the story as you highlight the key words containing each blend.
The PowerPoint ends with an interactive puzzle: can the children tell you which things begin with the blend FL? Watch the pictures spin if correct and disappear if incorrect!
An FL worksheet is included for follow up.
Close your lesson with a plenary session, reviewing the key words containing the FL blend.
Written to help a disallusioned 8-yr-old who had already failed to read despite 2 phonic programmes, I needed a way to get his attention. It worked and he loved these simple PowerPoint presentations and was soon reading and spelling words with consonant blends.
Suitable for distance/on-line learning, in school, at home and for home education.
Find also:
FR PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12907479
SL PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12907484
See our consonant blends, leveled, FREE reading books!
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12645240
A fun, animated PowerPoint to introduce children to the consonant blends FR featuring the lovable character, Freddy Frog!
As you tell the story, which is written under each slide for use in Presentation Mode or on the accompanying PDF, stretch out the key words containing the focus blend: FRRReddy FRRRog to help children hear the blend.
At the end of the story, 2 slides help you to teach the children to blend the two sounds together to make the blend and then further slides encourage the children to help you to retell the story as you highlight the key words containing each blend.
The PowerPoint ends with an interactive puzzle: can the children tell you which things begin with the blend FR? Watch the pictures spin if correct and disappear if incorrect!
An FR worksheet is included for follow up.
Close your lesson with a plenary session, reviewing the key words containing the FR blend.
Suitabel for all pupils, but written to help a disallusioned 8-yr-old who had already failed to read despite 2 phonic programmes, I needed a way to get his attention. It worked and he loved these simple PowerPoint presentations and was soon reading and spelling words with consonant blends.
Suitable for distance/on-line learning, in school, at home and for home education.
Find also:
SL PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/-12907484
FL PowerPoint: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12907482
See our consonant blends, leveled, FREE reading books!
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12645240
This game practices spelling words with ee or ea. Suitable for use with Read, Write inc. Set 3 words, or Letters and Sounds Phase 5 words.
Be the first to pick all the apples on your tree as you decide whether a word is in the ee or the ea sound family.
This game helps children to learn which combination of letters to use to spell common words in the ‘ea’ and ‘ee’ sound families.
Excellent for reluctant learners, special needs, and just about all children.
Full instructions and teaching notes included.
For use with any phonic programme, including Read, Write Inc. and Jolly Phonics.
A pack of resources to help you teach ‘ck’.
It can be used with any phonic programme, including Letters and Sounds, Read, Write, Inc. and Jolly Phonics.
Suitable for all children but especially those who have special needs or need a slower pace.
(Optional) First watch the free video lesson, (included int he download) then do the activities to reinforce the new sound.
Suitable for use with all phonic programmes including Read, Write Inc…
A great little pack for classroom, home education, private tutoring and special needs/catch-up work.
Ideal to send home for parents to support learning at home.
Pack includes:
How to teach the sound ‘ck’ Lesson Notes
ck flashcard
ck word flashcards
Sentences to read
Speed reading practice sheet
ck Worksheet
Assessment worksheet - help to know what further work needs to be done
Short reading book to practice cvc and ck words.
2 ck games - a matching pictures to words game and a board game for 2 players.
Written by an early years specialist teacher with 30 years experience of teaching systematic phonics to all abilities, especially special needs.
Teachers - see our ‘ck’ worksheets in our worksheet pack for Phases 3 and 4 of Letters and sounds, where we cover ‘ck’ words with and without a consonant blend. https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12009694
A complete lesson to teach ch and sh of Phase 3 Letters and Sounds.
Suitable for use with all phonic programmes including Read, Write Inc…
A great little pack for classroom, home use and special needs catch-up work .
Handy teaching hints/plan included.
Pack includes:
Ch and Sh lesson videos (FREE)
ch and sh flashcards
ch and sh word flashcards
Sentences to read
Speed reading practice sheets for both sounds
ch and sh Worksheets
Assessment sheets for both sounds - help to know what further work needs to be done
Short reading book to practice cvc and ck words.
ch/sh game - a matching pictures to sounds - either for individual matching or to play as a game for two players.