Moving on with Reading

Moving on with Reading is designed for children who have completed the early stages of phonics and are ready to extend their reading skills.

Learning to read does not finish when a child can read words with basic phonemes. English contains many different sound and spelling patterns, and children need to become familiar with these before they can read a wide range of words with confidence. This book provides a systematic way to continue that process.

Each lesson introduces a new sound pattern through a carefully selected list of words. These words are studied and practised until the child can read them fluently. Where appropriate, a second list includes less familiar words or words containing sounds that have already been taught but which the child may not yet recognise easily.

Once the words are secure, the child reads a short passage containing the sounds and words that have been studied. The passage is read repeatedly rather than just once. This gives the child valuable practice in reading accurately and fluently, while allowing confidence to grow through success. These passages also include words from previous lessons.

The programme is deliberately not tied to an arbitrary number of days for each lesson. Some children will learn a new sound pattern quickly, while others will need more time and practice. Parents can simply move on when the child is ready.

The book can be used alongside other reading material. Children should be encouraged to read more widely as their skills develop, choosing books in which they can read the great majority of words easily.

Moving on with Reading is suitable for home educators, parents and teachers who want a clear, systematic way to help children continue developing their reading skills after the first stages of phonics.

It is particularly useful for children who need extra practice before they are ready to read more independently.

Please note: this book expresses Christian sentiments and contains quotations from the King James Bible.