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Help! My DT's are struggling with phonetics and I don't know where to start

5 replies

hollypocks · 28/02/2010 06:55

Hello
We recently moved from France back to the UK for 3 years. Our 7 year-old DT's are bilingual but had only ever been educated to French schools so had the challenge of getting their reading and writing in English up to the level of their peers in Year 2. They have both done great in reading; they are in the top group in their class and at parents evening the teacher told me that in their mock-SATS test they had both scored in the high 20s out of 30. Their numeracy is also fine with smiliar scores. The problem is with spelling and writing, they both got low 4/20 and 7/20 scores which makes me feel they we have very ill-equipped them to express themselves and have not helped them enough. They have lots of imagination and the actual content of their writing is great but they are obviously struggling to spell. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can best help them? We are thrilled that they have got on so well so far at school but I really want to help them with phonetics so they don't get hindered. TIA

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chocolatebiscuit · 28/02/2010 15:41

First of all try not to worry. It sounds like your children have achieved well in other areas and should be able to catch up quickly. Also bear in mind that in the UK children begin formal phonics teaching aged 4. This isn't always helpful to all children as some (but not all) are not developmentally ready and consequently have further difficulties in the future. In other countries they leave it later and from what I understand, children who start later do catch up and can actually do better (probably because they haven't been pushed into something they weren't ready for).

Anyway, if I were you, I would make another appointment to see your children's teacher and find out what phase of Letters and Sounds they are working at. This is the latest phonics programme that is used in most schools (although schools can adopt other schemes). Depending on how your children are doing it may be appropriate that they have additional support in school to catch up. That said, it may not be necessary depending on what else is going on in class.

You may wish to buy phonics materials to help your children at home. Jolly Phonics is a popular scheme that can be purchased on their website or more cheaply on Amazon. It is aimed at younger children however I have used it with 7 year olds and they still enjoy it.

Another good resource is www.phonicsplay.co.uk which has some free phonics games and some you can pay a small subscription fee for.

Spelling games where you encourage your children to 'sound out' words can be fun and helpful. E.g. I want you to j - u - m - p (saying the letter sounds not the names). If you are not sure about the correct pronunciation of the letter sounds try googling 'Read and Write inc'. This is another phonics scheme and has a parents' section which allows you to download the sounds. You can also buy materials to use at home for your children.

Hopefully this helps a little bit. I'm a qualified teacher by the way and teach phonics every day!

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maizieD · 28/02/2010 15:50

I have heard good things about this spelling programme, but it is a bit expensive. It's called Apples & Pears:

www.prometheantrust.org/admin/files/wba.pdf

Or, the DCFS has produced a 'Support for Spelling' guidance which you might find useful:

nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/node/183127

The emphasis, is, I think, on phonics. Were your children taught to read with phonics? If not they might find phonics a bit difficult to adjust to but it is the best way.

Or, you could have a look at Phonics International, which is designed for teaching reading and spelling and is suitable for any age. There is a lot of helpful (free!) support material with PI.

www.phonicsinternational.com/

Good luck!

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hollypocks · 28/02/2010 21:45

Thank you to you both so much for such detailed and insightful replies. I am really grateful and feel so much better now I have got it down in a posting. They were taught French phonics so the concept is not completely alien to them. We are going to go out for a cake after school tomorrow and go through some of your suggestions, they are both really keen to learn which must be a goos sign! Thanks again

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natsmum100 · 28/02/2010 22:06

Snap, hollypocks! I have also moved back to UK from France with 7 year old, who is doing very well in school but having difficulty with spelling. While we were in France, I used Read Write Inc to teach her Engish phonics. (I am a Pimary teacher.) I haven't done any since we came back, but she doesn't seem to be doing any phonics at school, so I will start doing it at home again.
We do buy spelling workbooks when we see them and she loves to do them.

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natsmum100 · 28/02/2010 23:15

The BBC bitesize website has lots of games which your DC may enjoy.

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