Teaching Systematic Synthetic Phonics in Primary Schools: (Transforming Primary QTS Series)

Systematic synthetic phonics is a key strategy in the teaching of reading. This text supports trainee teachers working towards primary QTS in how to use phonics effectively.  It explores what works in phonics teaching, and why. It begins with the subject knowledge that underpins effective teaching and goes on to explore pedagogy from the early years to Key Stage 2. The book includes a review of different popular phonics programmes, set against the DfE (2011) criteria for high-quality phonics teaching. This second edition has been updated in line with the new National Curriculum, includes new guidance on the Year 1 phonics screening check and new lessons ideas and practical guidance for teaching phonics.

Table of Contents:
Section 1: Subject knowledge for teachers Discriminating sounds and phonemes Challenges Grapheme–phoneme correspondences and ‘tricky’ or common exception words Decoding and encoding text Long vowel digraphs – the advanced alphabetic code Phonics into spelling Section 2: Effective pedagogy Teaching phonics in the early years Multi-sensory and interactive methods Teaching a systematic structured progression Planning for phonics Tracking and assessing pupils’ learning and effective intervention Teaching phonics in Key Stage 2 Using a range of programmes and resources Conclusion Glossary Model answers to self-assessment questions Index

About the Author :
Wendy Jolliffe is Professor of Education and worked in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for 14 years; latterly as Head of Teacher Education at the University of Hull. She worked previously as a Regional Adviser for the National Strategies and advised ITT providers on effective provision for literacy.  She has published extensively in Primary English and Cooperative Learning. David Waugh is a former deputy headteacher who worked in ITT from 1990 at the University of Hull, where he led the PGCE course and became Head of Department. In 2008 he was appointed as one of two (the other being Wendy) National Strategies Regional Advisers for ITT. He is currently lectures at Durham University. He has published extensively in primary English, as well as developing e-learning resources for National Strategies for English, mathematics and mentoring and coaching. David also writes children’s stories, including The Wishroom, which was written with 45 children from 15 East Durham primary schools and published in 2017. Angela Gill is Programme Director for BA Primary Education and subject lead for Primary English at Durham University, working on both UG and PGCE programmes. She is an experienced teacher and worked in primary classrooms for many years before taking up the post at Durham University.

Review :
I found the information on the pedagogy of phonics, especially teaching phonics in KS2, very useful. I enjoyed reading about how and why to teach phonics in KS2 as this is something which I think is overlooked in many other phonics books.   Another positive point is that this book has activity ideas incorporated in the chapters. This really puts the information into perspective; it makes the ideas a lot more practical and classroom-ready. Many of the activities can be just slightly adapted by a class teacher and incorporated into several different phonics sessions. Many of the activities are new to me which was interesting to read.   Assessment is also mentioned in some parts of the book. I found this helpful as sometimes the only type of phonics assessment mentioned is the Phonics Screening Test which mostly summative. The book, however, suggests formative assessment opportunities which is very insightful!   I also own the first edition of this book – if you’re wondering whether to buy this one, I would say it definitely is different and updated so would be beneficial if you’re looking to keep up-to-date with phonics assessment, pedagogy and knowledge.   Jasmin, Teacher