Synthetic Phonics

What is synthetic phonics?

Synthetic phonics is a method of teaching where words are broken up into the smallest units of sound (phonemes). Children learn to make connections between the letters of written texts (graphemes, or letter symbols) and the sounds of spoken language. Synthetic phonics also teaches children how to identify all the phonemes in a word and match them to a letter in order to be able to spell correctly.

Children are taught how to break up words, or decode them, into individual sounds, and then blend all the way through the word.

Example: In the word bat, children learn to identify three individual phonemes using the synthetic phonics method: /b/ /a/ /t/ that can be blended back together to produce a word. The ‘synthetic’ part of this particular phonics instruction derives from the process of synthesising or blending sounds to create words.

New sounds are not introduced in alphabetical order, and they are introduced quickly. Synthetic phonics means that children are able to read a range of easily decodable words sooner.

This means that if a child is introduced to the sounds /m/ /s/ /a/ /t/ they can quickly read the words at, mat, sat, am, Sam etc.

At Myrtleford P12, we use the synthetic phonics Jolly Phonics Program in Prep and follow a a scope and sequence across other grades to ensure systematic exposure and consolidation of learning.

What is Jolly Phonics?

Jolly Phonics is a fun and child centred approach to teaching literacy through synthetic phonics. With actions for each of the 42 letter sounds, the multi-sensory method is very motivating for children. The letter sounds are split into seven groups, as shown in the Letter Sound Order chart below.

How does Jolly Phonics work?

Using a synthetic phonics approach, Jolly Phonics teaches children the five key skills for reading and writing. Complimented by Jolly Readers and Jolly Grammar, it provides a thorough foundation for teaching literacy over three years in school (Reception to year 2).

Letter-Sound Order

The sounds are taught in a specific order (not alphabetically). This enables children to begin building words as early as possible.

• s, a, t, i, p, n.

• ck, e, h, r, m, d.

• g, o, u, l, f, d.

• ai, j, oa, ie, ee, or.

• z, w, ng, v, oo, oo.

• y, x, ch, sh, th, th.

• qu, ou, oi, ue, er, ar.

There are five skills taught in Jolly Phonics:

1.Learnng the letter-sounds

Children are taught the 42 main letter sounds. These include alphabet sounds as well as digraphs such as sh, th, ai and ue. Click the link for more information on supporting your child with these sounds, the letter sounds.

2.Learning letter formations

Using different multi-sensory methods, children learn how to form and write the letters.

3.Blending

Children are taught how to blend the sounds together to read and write new words.

4.Identifying the sounds in words (segmenting)

Listening for the sounds in words gives children the best start for improving spelling.

5.Tricky words

Tricky words have irregular spellings and children learn these separately.