How many phonic concepts should be taught in a week? A single phonic concept a week? Or two phonic concepts per week?
There will be a range in ability within any Year 1 or 2 class. It is unrealistic for teachers to deliver one level of instruction to the entire class. Likewise, it is unrealistic for teachers to deliver four or five different levels of instructions to the class. PLD suggests grouping students in no more than THREE targeted teaching groups.
Within the three targeted teaching groups, each group will have a phonic concept (or concepts) and one list of words.
Across each of the three groups, there may be a focus on 1, 2 or 3 phonic concepts in each list.
The examples below show lists taken from the Structured Synthetic Phonics Time Savers books showing a list with either 1, 2, and 3 phonic concepts. If a desired list is not found in this resource, often teachers will cut and paste from the lists to create a list integrating the concepts they need.
On the basis of the placement tests, students are placed onto the PLD tracking sheets.
PLD have outlined an easy to follow, step-by-step process for using the tracking sheets to create targeted teaching groups here.
Sometimes, but not too frequently, you will have to combine 2 groups to arrive at 3 groups in total. This combined group may be covering 2 concepts e.e a Target 2 (qu) and Target 4 (ai) and in this case, four concepts will be exposed to the class.
The teaching plan establishes what should be cevered in the upcoming 10 weeks of teaching.
Need help creating your three groups and identifying your termly plans?
Tracking Sheet Support: Upload your tracking sheets on the home page and book a meeting with our School Support Staff who will assist you to fine-tune your groups and plans.
Updated on: 26/09/2023
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