All Aboard Phonics Phase 4 Introduction - Resource

The "All Aboard Phonics - Phase 4 Teacher Manual" provides a comprehensive guide for educators to teach systematic synthetic phonics. This method involves teaching children individual phonemes before progressing to blending them to form words. The programme is structured to introduce phonemes in a specific order, enhancing the learning process. Each phoneme is associated with a 'pictophone' - a character that acts as a visual aid to help children remember the sound. For instance, the 'Toad About to Explode' represents the /t/ sound, while the 'Oon on the Moon' is associated with the long /oo/ sound. Teachers are encouraged to start with simple three-letter words to demonstrate segmenting, which is the process of breaking down words into individual sounds. Furthermore, the manual outlines the importance of blending, where children learn to combine phonemes to create words, and provides a step-by-step approach to teaching this skill effectively.

The manual also emphasizes the correct pencil grip for letter formation, suggesting the use of a tripod grip for better control and accuracy. Decodable books are introduced as a key resource, designed to align with the child's current phase and week in the programme, supporting their learning journey. These books are discreetly colour-coded to help guide reading choices without making the levels overtly obvious, thus avoiding any negative comparison among peers. Additionally, the manual includes information about the All Aboard Home Reading App, which complements classroom learning with daily lessons and games. The app offers an e-library of decodable books to support reading practice at home. The manual concludes with detailed teaching guidance for Phase 4, focusing on reading and spelling words with adjacent consonants and polysyllabic words. It includes lesson formats, the importance of revisiting and practising previously taught phonemes, and applying new knowledge through engaging activities and worksheets.