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Word Level

Phonics is a tool for developing the skills and knowledge to access text.  Phonics is never the point of a lesson.

At the Foundation levels, I would never consider a session successful if, by the end of it, a student could recite all of the basic code, sound by sound. I would only see the session as successful if they used their growing knowledge of the basic code to read and understand some text.

Before you go any further, have a look at this post about decodability.

Foundation Lessons -Text Level – Controlled

  • Read

Controlled means that the text is written to match the progression of sounds being used.  When you write text for the Foundation levels, use as natural a tone as possible given the constraints.

Here are some sample sentences for ThatReadingThing Foundation levels:

Keep in mind ther 4 levels of decodability.

  • CVC What did Cal tell that fat man at the pub?
  • CVCC Can you lend us a hand with this ramp?
  • CCVC Can you sell your product for a hundred pounds and still make a profit?
  • sh/ch/th I had the fish and chips at lunch but wish I had the ham and cheese salad sandwich.
  • split vowels It’s a shame that she went home early and missed the game.
  • ck/x /qu He’s got a pickle and fish sandwich on extra thick white bread.
  • ed He admitted that he intended to take the cash and go to Spain.
  • ng I like winter but spring is the best time of year.
  • le I have terrible battles with my lad about homework.
  • y Harry likes to carry a lucky penny.
  • er The roads will be better when the gritter gets finished.
  • ing She is expecting her second baby in September.
  • tion The instructions were simple but the desk was difficult to assemble.
  • Write

Writing whole sentences at the foundations levels will depend very much on the levels of ability in your class.  However, the sentences you have used for reading can also be used for dictation exercises with decodability applying in reverse.  Put all words except 100% decodable words up on the board for reference.  They will write the words, saying the sounds, sometimes copying from the board and sometimes spelling.

That may sound off-putting, but a noisy classroom where everyone is saying sounds is preferable to a quiet classroom where everyone is reciting strings of letter names in their heads.

Foundation Lessons -Text Level – Uncontrolled

  • Read

Uncontrolled text or “real reading” should be introduced as soon as possible.  For those at Foundation levels, I love the book, Random Acts of Kindness, 365 ways to make the world a nicer place by Danny Wallace. It’s got very short bits of text, some of which are suitable even for CVC level reading but perfectly suitable for adults. ISBN is 0091901758

  • Write

I would leave any free writing activities until your learners have grown in confidence and knowledge of the code.  Again, apply decodability in reverse and don’t expect them to spell words with sounds that they haven’t yet encountered.