Phonics

In Ngā Ringa Āwhina class we are working through a phonics program called the Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA)

This program is delivered to the whole class and introduces focus letter sounds or blends each week. We practice segmenting and manipulating words which contain these focus sounds throughout the week.

Below are slides of the focus sounds we will be working on each week in class.

Manipulation chains:

  1. I say the 1st word in the chain and the tamariki sound out the word by 'roboting' each sound with their arms (they know what this means).

  2. They then write down each sound they hear to write the word and read it.

  3. I say 'Great, this says flax, now show me flap'

  4. They sound out the new word and work to out what part of the word changes.

  5. If they are struggling I will ask, 'Which part of the word needs to change? Is it the start, the middle or the end of the word?'

  6. They sound out each letter of the word again to identify which part is different.

  7. They then replace that sound with the new letter sound.

At school we use mini white boards but you could just use paper and write each new word instead of just erasing one part.

Please visit the Pukeko class site to find out more about the Better Start Literacy Approach.

Better Start Literacy Weekly slides