New primary strategy programme is sound practice

7th September 2007, 1:00am

Share

New primary strategy programme is sound practice

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/new-primary-strategy-programme-sound-practice
Dr Rita Ray, a literacy consultant, recently expressed concerns about Letters and Sounds, the new Primary National Strategy programme (TES, August 24).

We devised and conducted research in Clackmannanshire that showed the effectiveness of the synthetic phonics approach in developing reading and spelling with children just starting school. We would like to reassure her, and others with similar concerns, that Letters and Sounds has a very similar lesson plan to our own tried-and-tested programme, and follows the same progression. Therefore, in our view, the only untested element of Letters and Sounds is its play-based approach.

As long as teachers carry out the programme diligently and make sure that children concentrate on the literacy goals of the lessons, there is every reason to think that Letters and Sounds will prove to be as effective in developing reading and spelling skills as our own programme.

Professor Rhona S. Johnston

Department of Psychology,

University of Hull

Dr Joyce Watson

School of Psychology,

University of

St Andrews

Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared