The Bouncy Castle - Learn The Phonic Sound ou (loud) - Teacher Notes

The "Bouncy Castle" reading pack is part of a comprehensive phonics-based scheme designed to teach children the fundamental sounds of the English language, aiding them in learning to read effectively. This particular pack focuses on the 'ou' sound, as heard in the word 'loud', and the 'ow' sound, as in 'owner'. These reading packs are suitable for a diverse range of learners, from the age of four and upwards, including reluctant readers aged 7 to 9+, those with learning difficulties, and children for whom English is an additional language. The structured approach is ideal for one-to-one or small group learning, involving a teacher, parent, or guardian working alongside the child.

The course is built around a series of engaging stories featuring a character named Sam, with the aim of embedding 44 phonic sounds through the narrative. As children explore these tales, they are encouraged to search for hidden sounds, gradually building a foundation that will enable them to decode 80% of words in the English language by breaking them into sounds or syllables. This method of using phonics ensures rapid progression in reading skills. The packs not only focus on the reading aspect but also include cut-out practice pages, which help to reinforce the association between sounds and the words or phrases they form. The programme is flexible, allowing educators to select packs based on the sounds needed, and provides a sequenced path from basic to complex phonetic sounds, eventually leading children to confidently tackle solo reading of books by celebrated authors like Roald Dahl.