Implementing PI for learners who are not beginners

[debbie]

One of the biggest challenges for teachers is when the Phonics International programme is being adopted by a school for the first time - and teachers want to know 'where to start' using the programme.

Clearly best practice is about assessing the learners to ascertain their level of alphabetic code knowledge and their phonics skills.

The assessment package provide on the 'Free Resources' webpage may be helpful in this goal. See the 'NONSENSE WORDS ASSESSMENT' as a quick route getting an idea of learners' general code knowledge and blending skills:

http://www.phonicsinternational.com/assessment.html

However, I really don't recommend moving forwards with trying to fill in individual gaps of individual children for the main class teaching. If necessary, individual children may well need additional lessons to fill in their gaps - and, if possible, work in partnership with parents to this end.

In general terms, try to keep the resource and classroom management as simple as possible and aim for no more than two main groups for older learners - with perhaps a third 'special needs' group only if necessary.

I've drawn up a document which teachers might find helpful when using Phonics International for the first time for learners who are not beginners. Of course, this problem will change over the years when PI is established and each teacher informs the 'next' teacher of the point that has been reached in the programme! This can be found via the 'Free Resources' webpage of the Phonics International site in the blue box labelled, 'IMPORTANT':

http://www.phonicsinternational.com/imp ... arners.pdf

So, over time, it will simply be a case of going through each unit progressively but in the first year of adoption, professional decisions will need to be taken about starting points and use of appropriate resources!

[debbie]

The 'Simple View of Reading' and 'Simple View of Writing' diagrams may also be helpful in deciding learners' needs - by considering their individual reading and writing profiles.

These diagrams can also be found via the 'Free Resources' webpage:

http://www.phonicsinternational.com/The ... _model.pdf

You could complete the profiles for each individual learner, of for groups or whole classes.