The Famous Cousin From The Country: 'ou' that sounds like ‘u’ - Teacher Notes

The "Famous Cousin From The Country" is part of a comprehensive phonics reading pack series designed to teach children how to read with a focus on the phonetic sound 'ou' that is pronounced like 'u'. These reading packs are an effective tool for teaching children as young as four years old, and are particularly beneficial for reluctant readers aged 7 to 9+, those with learning difficulties, and children for whom English is not their first language. The program is structured for one-on-one or small group sessions, where a teacher, parent or guardian can work closely with the child.

The reading packs include a series of stories that incorporate 44 phonic sounds within the narrative, following the adventures of a character named Sam. As children read, they engage in a fun activity of finding hidden sounds within the text, which helps them learn to decode 80% of words in the English language by breaking them down into sounds or syllables. By the end of the program, children will be equipped to tackle more complex solo reading books. The packs also contain cut-out practice pages to reinforce the connection between sounds and words, utilising simple text and colourful sketches to captivate young readers. To ensure a solid foundation in phonics, the packs should be used in a specific sequence, starting with basic sounds and gradually progressing to more complex phonetic patterns and structures.