| Frequently Asked Questions |
1) What are phonetics (also referred to as phonics)? 2) How are the cards used? 3) How is this scheme different from other phonetic schemes? 4) Why was the scheme written? 5) Why the name 'Archway'? 6) Why are there different sizes of card? 7) At what age can I start using the cards? 8) Do the cards follow the National Curriculum? 9) Are talks available? 1) What are phonetics (also referred to as phonics)? Phonics is a method of teaching reading and spelling using the common sounds you say when you see the letters. This is one of the successful ways which teach reading and spelling skills. Phonetics is the study of the sounds in language or speech. (The internationally recognised phonetic symbols used to represent all spoken sounds are not easy to learn so have not been used in this scheme.) 2) How are the cards used? When teaching the sounds of the alphabet, a picture of a ball is used for the sound 'b'. The names of the pictures on the cards are said first. Students may need help with this. Then all the Archway cards are used in the same way; the name of the picture is said to hear the sound of the letters at the top of the card. A list of words with that pattern is found in the Archway reference book. These words are learned for reading and spelling. A dictionary may be used to help with the meanings. For example: In Set 6 there is a card - snow /o/ 'ow' (On Page 20 are the words: show, slow, grow . . . ) On another card is - owl /ow/ 'ow' - the sound is different (On Page 21 are the words: cow, now, how . . . ) The Archway cards show the more advanced sounds that give students problems. The sounds are demonstrated and explained on the DVD. 3) How is this scheme different from other phonetic schemes? The scheme is user friendly as Lynda has tried to explain her ideas as simply as possible. The cards can be left uncut for posters or activities or cut up to make friezes, mobiles, for learning, testing and further activities. Because the cards are in the order of the rainbow colours as well as being numbered, the level you want to work on is easy to find. It is easy to record the student's progress. 'Starting Set 4.' 'Set 3 known except 'squ' and 'th''. There are many excellent phonic schemes for young children but this is for all ages and looks at the sounds in more detail. The scheme is easy to store and carry around. 4) Why was the scheme written? Both Lynda's parents had difficulties learning to read and spell. Her mother used many strategies to help herself remember what she needed to know and taught them to Lynda. Lynda has used similar cards to these in her teaching for about ten years. As the picture and clue word is on the front to help the learner, no one forgets what the picture is and it can be covered up for testing. The students really relax with the cards as they are non-threatening - the answer is there in front of them until they are confident enough to be tested. As all the cards are laminated, stickers can be used on them or dry marker pens - but put the cards in a clear plastic wallet to stop them being scratched by the pens. 5) Why the name 'Archway'? 'Archway' was chosen because order of the rainbow colours (red, orange, yellow, bright green, dark green, light blue, dark blue, purple) show the order that the cards are usually introduced. It is quick to find the cards to be worked on. Putting out the cards in an arch shape is used in many of the activities. Going through the 'Archway' leads to improvement in literacy skills! 6) Why are there different sizes of card? The A4 sets with words and hints on the reverse have been made as a checklist for the helper or to use with groups. They are especially effective with older students. Chanting the picture, words and sounds along the rows from left to right emphasises the direction for reading. The A4 sets have also been made without words on the back so they can be cut up and stored easily. These might be especially useful for older students or for very young students. The A3 sets can be put up as posters or cut up to go around the room as a frieze or to hang up as a mobile. Cut into 30 individual small cards, they are the right size to be used for many of the games. This set and the one above come with two of Set 1, the red cards, so that a young or nervous student can match individual cards or match an alphabet. Sets 1 to 4 of the A3 size have also been made with holes in. A blunt pencil can be put through the holes to make learning more interactive for reluctant students. The letters can be written on the back of the card next to their holes for testing. The cards can be cut up and threaded on a string as they are worked on. The A2 sets can be made into posters, can be used with larger groups and, in fact, all ages enjoy working with this size. When cut up, the cards are about the size of a playing card. 7) At what age can I start using the cards? The cards can be started with infants from age 6 months. Any of the matching activities (as described in the book and DVD) can be enjoyed with young learners. There are many games and activities which can be used by all students including those in Nursery and Infant classes who need to be stretched. 8) Do the cards follow the National Curriculum? All the vocabulary contained in the National Curriculum has been included where appropriate. Many students need to regularly revisit the sounds and spelling patterns and these cards will help with this. 9) Are talks available? Yes. Other methods, such as 'Jolly Phonics' or 'Synthetic Phonics', are excellent ways to help to teach most students the skills needed for reading and writing sucessfully. However, Lynda, the author, is particularly concerned with helping students who do not succeed with these methods. Perhaps only a few students in a mainstream primary school may be affected in this way - but nationwide/worldwide it will mean that many thousands of students are slipping through the net. Lynda aims to talk to as many interested groups as possible to explain the common misunderstandings that these students often have about letters and sounds. She speaks about tried and tested methods that have helped her students during almost forty years of teaching reading and spelling. These groups, of any size, can include:- parents, teachers, teaching assistants, nursery nurses, Surestart groups, speech and language therapists, health visitors, adult learners and, in fact, anyone who in anyway helps students to learn. The talks are free (except for travelling expenses for long distances) and last for about an hour. Comments following recent talks: " . . . wonderful presentation you gave us . . ." " . . . you enthused us all . . ." " . . . we enjoyed hearing about your experiences working with your students . . ." " . . . we will all spread the word . . ." A free workshop will be held in Bracknell on the following days: Saturday 11th July 2009 (10.30am - 2.00pm) Saturday 1st August 2009 (10.30am - 2.00pm) Saturday 15th August 2009 (10.30am - 2.00pm) Saturday 5th September 2009 (10.30am - 2.00pm) Please contact Lynda for further details and to book your place (see contact details). A small registration fee will be required which will be refunded on attendance. |
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