During P2 it is important that you build upon and develop your phonics subject knowledge and your ability and confidence to teach this aspect of early reading. The expectation is that all students will complete this task. However, this must be a priority if you had limited experience of SSP during your P1 placement.
The schedule suggested below is for guidance only, but it is important that you are able to complete the tasks as fully as possible.
Weeks 1 and 2 – Observing and Familiarising
Through discussion with your Teacher Mentor and the phonics lead (as appropriate) find out:
- how systematic synthetic phonics is taught in your placement school and which programme is used
- how phonic knowledge is assessed and individual progress monitored
- how phonic knowledge taught in discrete lessons is applied across the curriculum;
Observe and make notes on the following:
- A session in which children’s phonological awareness and/or phonic knowledge is being developed (this may be conducted in a FS or KS1 classroom by arrangement with your Teacher Mentor and the other teacher concerned – please see the note below)
Use the observation sheets provided, as appropriate.
Share and discuss your observations with you Teacher Mentor and your partner if you have one.
Week 3-4: Beginning Teaching
- Plan and teach a sequence of at least three phonics lessons, observed by your mentor, or the Phonics lead or the teacher for the class you are working in (if you go to FS or KS1 to complete this task).
- Evaluate this experience.
- Put the lesson observation notes and a copy of your lesson evaluations in your Planning File.
Weeks 5-6: Developing Independent Teaching Skills
- Discuss with the English/Phonics Lead Teacher how systematic synthetic phonics and early reading is taught and how children’s use of language is developed, throughout the school.
- Plan an activity which applies the phonic work taught in discrete sessions.
NB: Students in Foundation Stage and KS1 are unlikely to have difficulty with the phonics aspects of the tasks noted above. Phonics teaching in KS2 may not be as immediately obvious, so you will have to find out how it is planned and taught. This may involve focusing on strategies or interventions used for struggling readers and/or observing and teaching in a FS/Key Stage 1 class