Charlotte De Blois

I use a variety of physical techniques to help under 7s become familiar with letter forms and their phonic values; for example stamping with printing blocks. This helps to introduce letter recognition of letter forms in different typefaces and thus the leap from infant picture books to 'chapter books' is less problematic. Work with diagraphs is essential and these physical techniques are useful for sorting and matching letterforms to create diagraphs. Once a phonic value has been introduced and we collect examples, write rhymes and clap out rhythms. We read stories, predict endings and use narratives as a basis to writing a pupils own stories. Underpinning all my practice is a conviction that all children can succeed.