Week 2, lesson 1 Phoneme "y" and Grapheme "y" - Phonics Phase 3 - Lesson plan

In Week 2, Day 1 of the phonics phase 3 lesson plan, the focus is on the phoneme /y/ and the corresponding grapheme . The objective for the day is to introduce the children to this sound with the aid of a 'Yak with a Pack' flashcard, which visually reinforces the target phoneme. The session begins with a 'Quickdash' activity, where children rapidly review previously learned graphemes and pictophones, shouting out the sounds they represent, to refresh their memory and improve their recall speed.

The teaching segment incorporates storytelling to embed the phoneme in the children's minds. A story about a yak who experiences the unpleasant taste of spoiled yoghurt is used to emphasise the /y/ sound, with an accompanying action where children mime eating bad yoghurt and repeat the sound. Next, in the practise phase, children learn how to form the grapheme by finger writing in the air or on a partner's back. A 'Word Sort' game follows, where they identify the initial phoneme of various words and assist in spelling them correctly under the relevant pictophone. The lesson then progresses to the application of these skills, with children practising writing the grapheme on mini whiteboards and engaging in extension activities like using chalk or participating in a Letter Hunt. The teaching notes suggest a gradual shift from more guided activities to encouraging the children to use their skills more independently, possibly through pair work or individual attempts.