The 5 main aims of Jolly Phonics

There is an alphabetic code to English. When a synthetic, systematic phonics method of teaching is used approximately 90% of words can be worked out (blended). Children taught with Jolly Phonics start with the alphabetic code, and should always use blending as the first strategy for working our unfamiliar words. By the time they attempt to read books for themselves, usually towards the end of the first term / semester, the majority know 42 letter sounds, how to blend them to read regular words, and have a small knowledge of tricky words. They also know how to write simple regular words by listening for the sounds and writing the relevant letters. This results in higher standards being achieved, and far fewer children needing remedial help.

There are five main elements to the teaching: 1. Learning letter sounds - the 42 main sounds of English are taught, not just the alphabet
sounds. There is a story that introduces the sound, and an action to help memorise it.

2. Learning letter formation - the children are shown exactly how to hold their pencil and
form the letters. A multi-sensory method is used.

3. Blending - a technique for blending is taught so that the children can work out simple words,
such as leg, hot, man etc., as well as regular words with consonant blends and digraphs e.g. fl-a-g, ch-o-p, sh-ee-p etc. The faster a child is at blending the easier it is for him/her to read.

4. Identifying Sounds in Words - in order for the children to understand the alphabetic code
it is essential to teach them to hear and identify the sounds in words. After a few weeks of Jolly Phonics the majority of the children should be able to write simple words e.g. hat, bus, pig, spot, bump etc. by listening for the sounds in the words and writing the relevant letters. Once the digraphs have been taught e.g. ai, ee, ch, ar, oi etc then the children can write regular words with these digraphs, such as train, deep, chest, farm, boil etc. By the end of the second term the majority of children are able to write independently. As they know one way of writing the letter sounds, all they do is listen for the sounds in the words they want to write and put the relevant letters down on paper. Initially it is not conventional spelling but it can be read e.g. Mie dad went too the shops and got us sum chips. Accurate spelling develops by reading many books, learning the alternative vowel sounds and following a spelling programme.

5. Spelling the Tricky Words - in Jolly Phonics tricky words tend to be the irregular keywords. There are three techniques that can be used: a. Look (identify the irregularity & say the letter names), Cover, Write and Check b. Say it as it sounds e.g. pronounce mother - with a short /o/ sound so that it rhymes with
bother

c. Mnemonics - people eat omelettes people like eggs - to spell the word people

Sue Lloyd