year 1 phonics homework

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Year Group Resources

Summer Home Learning - Have a lovely summer, stay safe & I can't wait to see you all in September! :)

Summer Home Learning.pdf

Hello Year One,

I hope you are all staying safe at home! These are just a few ideas of work to help keep you busy while you are at home.

I have accessed active learn primary (BUG CLUB) to see who has been reading at home. Thank you to those of you that have been interacting online and reading books. I have updated book bands for those children who had read and completed most allocated books.

Miss Bal :)

Phonics: if unsure of any sounds please use online resources like YouTube to hear the pronunciation of the sound. We follow letters and sounds :)

Phase 2 - Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 2 - Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 2 - Read and Race - GAME 1.pdf
Phase 2 - Read and Race - GAME 2.pdf
Phase 2 - Read and Race - GAME 3.pdf
Phase 2 - Read and Race - GAME 4.pdf
Phase 3 - Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 3 - Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 3 - Diagraph Picture Prompt - Spelling - WORKSHEET.pdf
Phase 3 - Read and Race - GAME 1.pdf
Phase 3 - Read and Race - GAME 2.pdf
Phase 3 - ear, air, ure and er - Sorting Cards Activity.pdf
Phase 4 - Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 4 - Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 4 - Read and Race - GAME 1.pdf
Phase 4 - Picture and Caption Matching - WORKSHEET.pdf
Phase 5 - Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 5 - Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 5 - I spy and read - WORKSHEET.pdf
Phase 5 - Pictures and Captions Matching - WORKSHEET.pdf
Phase 5 - Read and Race - GAME 1.pdf
Phase 5 - Read and Race - GAME 2.pdf
Phase 5 - Alternative Sounds - Read and Match - GAME.pdf
Phonopoly Game - Board.pdf
Phonopoly Game - Cards and Counters.pdf
Phonopoly Game - Certificate.pdf
Phonopoly Game - Score Card.pdf
Alternative Spellings - ai-ay-ae.pdf
Alternative Spellings - air-are-ear.pdf
Alternative Spellings - er-ur-ir-ear-or.pdf
Alternative Spellings - ew-ue-ue.pdf
Alternative Spellings - igh-ie-ie-y.pdf
Alternative Spellings - oa-oe-ow.pdf
Alternative Spellings - or-aw-our-augh-al.pdf
Handwriting - Phase 2 Sentence Practise.pdf
Handwriting - Phase 3 Sentence Practise.pdf
Handwriting - Phase 4 Sentence Practise.pdf
Handwriting - Phase 5 Sentence Practise.pdf
Phase 2 - Colour and Read Mosaic Activity.pdf
Phase 3 - Colour and Read Mosaic Activity.pdf
Phase 4 - Colour and Read Mosaic Activity.pdf

Reading: all documents are related to YEAR ONE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Help Your Child With Reading.pdf
VIPERS Guidance.pdf
Phase 3 - Word Reading Flashcards.pdf
Phase 4 - Word Reading Flashcards.pdf
Phase 5 - Word Reading Flashcards.pdf
Inference - Picture and Question Cards Activity.pdf
Poetry - Reading and VIPERS Questioning.pdf
Fiction - Reading and VIPERS Questioning - 1 STAR = Easy 2 STARS = Medium 3 STARS = Hard.pdf
Non-Fiction - Newspaper - Reading and VIPERS Questioning.pdf
Read and Respond - Activity Booklet.pdf
Real and Nonsense Flashcards.pdf
Read and Complete Activity - WORKSHEET.pdf
The Old Toy Room - Reading Comprehension - 1 Star.pdf
The Old Toy Room - Reading Comprehension - 2 Star.pdf
The Old Toy Room - Reading Comprehension - 3 Star.pdf
Understanding Social Distancing Reading Comprehension.pdf
Rainforests - Reading and Comprehension.pdf
Back to Earth With a Bump - Reading and Comprehension.pdf
Planets and the Solar System - Reading and Comprehension.pdf
Planet Read and Colour.pdf

Spelling: all documents are related to YEAR ONE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Spelling Through Picture Prompt.pdf
Common Exception Word 1 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 2 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 3 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 4 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 5 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 6 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 7 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 8 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Common Exception Word 9 - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling a-e - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling au - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling aw - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ay - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ea - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling e-e - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ew - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ey - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling i-e - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ir - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling oe - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling o-e - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ou - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling oy - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ph - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling ue - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling u-e - WORKSHEET.pdf
Spelling wh - WORKSHEET.pdf
Split Digraphs Spelling.pdf
Y1 and Y2 Spelling List - Handwriting and Spelling Practise.pdf
Y1 Common Exception Words Handwriting Practise.pdf

Writing: all documents are related to YEAR ONE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Fix the Sentence.pdf
Creative Writing - Question Prompts.pdf
Describe and WRITE about the story setting.pdf
Daily Sound Task - Week 1.pdf
Daily Sound Task - Week 2.pdf
Daily Sound Task - Week 3.pdf
Daily Sound Task - Week 4.pdf
Compound Words.pdf
The Old Toy Room - Fact File.pdf
Rainforest Animals - Fact File Template.pdf
Rainforest Animals - Fact File.pdf
Back to Earth With a Bump - Postcard Template.pdf
Back to Earth With a Bump - Thought Bubbles.pdf
Design a Planet - Template.pdf
Space Rocket Labelling.pdf
Space Writing Template.pdf
What Would I Take To Space - Template.pdf
Maths and English Work Booklet.pdf
Pobble 365 Engage your child to write creatively...
Once Upon A Picture Engage your child to write creatively...

Mathematics: all documents are related to YEAR ONE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

2D Shape Chick Cutting Skills - WORKSHEET
Snakes and Ladders Addition - GAME
One More and One Less - GAME
Morse Code Breaker - Activity WORKSHEET.pdf
Compare and Sequence Intervals of Time.pdf
Telling the Time in 5 Minute Intervals.pdf
Months of the Year Wordsearch.pdf
Telling the Time - O'clock - Half Past and Quarter to.pdf
Tell and Write the Time.pdf
Place Value Intervention - Adult Guidance.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Tens and Ones Arrow Cards.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Place Value Grid.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Greater Than and Less Than Labels.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Giant Number Line.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Digit Cards.pdf
Place Value Intervention - RESOURCE - Abacus Cards.pdf
Telling the Time- Exact Minutes Past PowerPoint.pdf
Telling the Time- Exact Minutes Past - Bullet Train Times.pdf
Telling the Time- Exact Minutes Past - Bullet Train Times ANSWERS.pdf
Counting Back Intervention - Adult Guidance.pdf
Counting Back Intervention - Number Sqaure.pdf
Counting Back Intervention - Rocket Launcher Template.pdf
Counting Back Intervention - Spinner.pdf
O'clock Time Bingo Game.pdf
Days of the Week Yesterday and Tomorrow Worksheet.pdf
Time Mastery Challenge Cards.pdf
Digital and Analogue Clocks - O'clock and Hal Past.pdf
Time Display.pdf
Days in the Months of the Year.pdf
Months of the Year Worksheet.pdf
Days of the Week Activity Sheet.pdf
Day and Night Reasoning.pdf
Bingo Board - O'clock - Half Past and Quarter to.pdf
Bingo Cards - O'clock - Half Past and Quarter to.pdf
Measurement Activity Pack.pdf
Measurement Activity Pack Answers.pdf
Addition to 20 - Colour by Number.pdf
Alice in Numberland - Read Me Numbers.pdf
Alice in Numberland - Show Me Show Me Mat.pdf
Alice in Numberland - Write Me.pdf
Is My Number Odd or Even.pdf
Jungle - I Spy and Add Checklist and Answers.pdf
Jungle - I Spy and Add.pdf
Odd and Even Numbers Booklet.pdf
Raindrop Missing Number Activity.pdf
Back to Earth With a Bump - Plot the Graph.pdf
Planet Maths Puzzles.pdf
Space Number Sequencing Puzzle.pdf
Solar System Code Breaker.pdf
Space Maths Activity Book.pdf
Space Colour By Number.pdf
Addition and Subtraction Booklet.pdf
Fractions Booklet.pdf
Geometry Booklet.pdf
Measurement Booklet.pdf
Multiplication and Division Booklet.pdf
Number and Place Value Booklet.pdf
Summer Maths Activity Booklet.pdf

Topic: all documents are related to YEAR ONE NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Science - Lava Lamp Experiment.pdf
Science - Fun With Density Experiment.pdf
Science - Animals, Including Humans Activity Booklet.pdf
Science - Everyday Materials Activity Booklet.pdf
History - How to make a paper aeroplane - Instructions.pdf
History - The Wright Brothers Fact File - WORKSHEET.pdf
History - The Wright Brothers Fact File.pdf
Step by Step Drawing - Jungle Animals.pdf
Layers of the Rainforest Activity.pdf
Layers of the Rainforest.pdf
Grouping Animals.pdf
Rainforest Animal Sorting.pdf
Make a Musical Instrument.pdf
Rainbow Wind Chimes.pdf
Science - Dancing Raisin Experiment.pdf
Science - Egg Experiements.pdf
Science - Float or Sink Experiment.pdf
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Science - Making Bubbles Experiment.pdf
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STEM Investigations - Parent Guide.pdf
STEM Investigations.pdf
Float or Sink.pdf
Paper Boat Origami.pdf
Solar System Mobile Craft.pdf
Solar System Picture.pdf
Solar System Picture - Labelling.pdf
Split Pin Astronaut.pdf

SEND: Please ensure you complete tasks using any objects to enable skills to be embedded. Please ensure you work alongside your child, explaining the activities to ensure they can complete tasks with confidence.

Design a Potato Character - Cutting Skills.pdf
Minibeasts Colour by Number.pdf
Design a Pizza - Cutting Skills.pdf
Indoor Fine Motor Skills - Challenge Cards.pdf
Handwriting Tracing Booklet.pdf
2D Shape Bee Picture Activity Sheets.pdf
2D Shape Butterfly Picture Activity Sheets.pdf
2D Shape Ladybird Picture Activity Sheets.pdf
2D Shape Spider Picture Activity Sheets.pdf
Phase 3 Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 3 Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 3 Picture and Spelling Booklet.pdf
Phase 5 - Picture and Caption Matching.pdf
Phase 5 I Spy.pdf
Phase 5 Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 5 Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 4 - Picture and Caption Matching.pdf
Phase 4 Tricky Word Activity Booklet.pdf
Phase 4 Activity Booklet.pdf
VIPERS Guidance - Reading Comprehension.pdf
Poetry Reading and VIPERS Comprehension.pdf
Newspaper Reading and VIPERS Comprehension.pdf
Read and Comprehend Colour.pdf
One More and One Less.pdf
Missing Numbers to 30.pdf
Missing Numbers to 50.pdf
Number Formation Worksheets.pdf
1 to 20 Number, Colour and Quantity Matching Cards.pdf
Missing Numbers to 20 - Addition.pdf

Unfortunately not the ones with chocolate chips.

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Phonics Lesson Plans For Year One

Written by Dan

Last updated January 5, 2024

Reading is a crucial skill that sets the foundation for future educational success. One of the proven methods to help children achieve this milestone is through phonics.

Our article provides comprehensive, engaging and effective lesson plans that introduce Year One students to the world of phonics.

These lesson plans are designed with the beginner in mind, using simple yet effective techniques that make learning fun.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for fresh ideas or a parent wanting to support your child’s learning at home, this guide will equip you with the tools necessary to ensure your Year One student has a solid understanding of phonics and is well on their way to becoming a confident reader.

Related : For more, check out our article on whether Phonics and Phonetics Are The Same.

Table of Contents

Key Steps In A Phonics Lesson

Introduction: Start by introducing the letter or letters of the day. Show the students the letter and say its sound.
Review: Review previously learned letters and sounds. This helps reinforce learning and builds a strong foundation.
Blending: This step involves teaching students how to blend sounds together to make words. Start with simple two-letter words and then move on to three-letter words.
Segmenting: In this step, students learn to break down words into their individual sounds. This is an important skill for spelling and decoding unfamiliar words.
Word Reading: Have students practice reading words that include the new phonics element. They can do this through various activities like reading books, flashcards, or word lists.
Sentence Reading: Once students are comfortable reading words, they can start reading sentences. This helps them understand how words work together in context.
Spelling: Teach students how to spell words using the sounds they have learned. They can practice this through writing exercises.
Assessment: Assess the students’ understanding of the lesson. This can be done through quizzes, worksheets, or verbal assessments.
Closure: Summarize the lesson and review what was learned. This helps reinforce the concepts and prepare students for the next lesson.

Remember, these steps can be adjusted based on the needs and abilities of your students. Phonics instruction should be systematic and sequential, but also flexible and engaging to keep students motivated and excited about learning.

Related : For more, check out our article on How To Follow Development Matters In Phonics Teaching here.

Year One Phonics Lesson Plan: Letter ‘S’

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize and pronounce the sound of the letter ‘S’ and blend it with other sounds to form words.

Step 1: Introduction

Introduce the letter ‘S’ using an engaging and colorful flashcard. Emphasize the sound it makes, which is /s/.

Make sure to articulate your mouth clearly so students can see how your teeth slightly touch to make the /s/ sound. Ask the students to repeat the sound several times, ensuring they are using the correct mouth movements.

Step 2: Review

Review previously learned letters and their associated sounds. Use a phonics chart or flashcards, and have the students say the sounds out loud as you point to each letter.

This reinforces previous learning and prepares them for the new lesson.

Step 3: Blending

Start blending activities by combining the /s/ sound with other known sounds to create words.

Begin with simple two-letter words like ‘so’, ‘is’, then progress to three-letter words such as ‘sit’, ‘sun’. Encourage students to pronounce each sound separately first, then blend them together into a word.

Step 4: Segmenting

Teach students to break down words into individual sounds. For example, with the word ‘sun’, help them identify it consists of the sounds /s/, /u/, and /n/. Use sound buttons or counters to help visualize each sound in the word.

Step 5: Word Reading

Prepare a set of flashcards or a word list that includes words with the /s/ sound. Have students read these words aloud, prompting them to sound out the words initially and then say them quickly.

This practice will enhance their decoding skills.

Step 6: Sentence Reading

Write simple sentences on the board that incorporate words with the /s/ sound, such as ‘Sam sees the sun.’

Have students read these sentences aloud. This helps them understand how the /s/ sound fits into the context of a whole sentence.

Step 7: Spelling

Conduct a spelling activity where students spell words using the /s/ sound. Start with words they have practiced in the blending and word reading steps.

Make this interactive by having a mini spelling bee or a fun group competition.

Step 8: Assessment

Assess students’ understanding of the /s/ sound and their ability to blend and segment sounds. This can be done through a short quiz, worksheet, or one-on-one reading assessment. Use this assessment to guide future instruction.

Step 9: Closure

Conclude the lesson by reviewing the /s/ sound and the learned words.

Encourage students to practice at home by reading books or doing worksheets reinforcing the /s/ sound. Preview the next letter sound they will be learning to keep them excited about upcoming lessons.

Related : For more, check out our article on Why Do We Do The Phonics Screening Check here.

Year One Phonics Lesson Plan: Letter ‘B’

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize and pronounce the sound of the letter ‘B’ and blend it with other sounds to form words.

Present the letter ‘B’ to the students using a large, colorful flashcard. Emphasize the sound it makes which is /b/.

Make sure to articulate your mouth so students can see how your lips come together to make the /b/ sound. Ask the students to repeat the sound several times, ensuring they are using the correct mouth movements.

Take time to review previously learned letters and their associated sounds. Use a set of flashcards or a phonics chart for this step. Point to each letter and have the students say the sound out loud.

This will not only reinforce previous knowledge but also warm them up for today’s lesson.

Begin blending activities by pairing the /b/ sound with other familiar sounds to create words. Start with simple two-letter words like ‘be’, ‘by’, slowly progressing to three-letter words such as ‘bat’, ‘bed’. Ensure students pronounce each sound separately first, then blend them together into a word.

Teach students to break words down into individual sounds, a skill known as segmenting. For instance, with the word ‘bat’, help them identify it consists of the sounds /b/, /a/, and /t/. Use manipulatives like sound buttons or counters to visualize each sound in the word.

Prepare a set of flashcards or a word list that features words with the /b/ sound. Have the students read the words aloud, prompting them to sound out the words and then say them quickly. This practice will enhance their decoding skills.

Write simple sentences on the board that include words with the /b/ sound, such as ‘Bob has a bat.’ Encourage students to read the sentences aloud, paying attention to fluency and intonation. This will help them understand how the /b/ sound works in the context of a sentence.

Conduct a spelling activity where students spell words using the /b/ sound. You can begin with words they have practiced in the blending and word reading steps. Make this interactive by having a mini spelling bee or a fun group competition.

Evaluate students’ understanding of the /b/ sound and their ability to blend and segment sounds. Use a short quiz, worksheet, or one-on-one reading assessment for this.

Tailor your future lessons based on the results of this assessment.

Summarize the lesson by reviewing what was learned. Reiterate the /b/ sound and go over the words again. Encourage students to practice at home by reading books or doing worksheets that reinforce the /b/ sound.

Give them a preview of the next letter sound they will learn to keep them excited about future lessons.

Year One Phonics Lesson Plan: Letter ‘M’

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize and pronounce the sound of the letter ‘M’ and blend it with other sounds to form words.

Introduce the letter ‘M’ to the students using a large, colorful flashcard. Emphasize the sound it makes, which is /m/.

Make sure to articulate your mouth clearly so students can see how your lips come together to make the /m/ sound. Ask the students to repeat the sound several times, ensuring they are using the correct mouth movements.

Review previously learned letters and their associated sounds. Use a set of flashcards or a phonics chart for this step.

Point to each letter and have the students say the sound out loud. This not only reinforces previous knowledge but also warms them up for today’s lesson.

Begin blending activities by combining the /m/ sound with other familiar sounds to form words.

Start with simple two-letter words like ‘me’, ‘my’, then progress to three-letter words such as ‘mat’, ‘mud’. Ensure students pronounce each sound separately first, then blend them together into a word.

Teach students to break down words into individual sounds, a skill known as segmenting. For instance, with the word ‘mat’, help them identify it consists of the sounds /m/, /a/, and /t/. Use manipulatives like sound buttons or counters to visualize each sound in the word.

Prepare a set of flashcards or a word list that features words with the /m/ sound. Have the students read the words aloud, prompting them to sound out the words and then say them quickly. This practice will enhance their decoding skills.

Write simple sentences on the board that include words with the /m/ sound, such as ‘Mom met a man.’ Encourage students to read the sentences aloud, paying attention to fluency and intonation. This will help them understand how the /m/ sound works in the context of a sentence.

Conduct a spelling activity where students spell words using the /m/ sound. You can begin with words they have practiced in the blending and word reading steps. Make this interactive by having a mini spelling bee or a fun group competition.

Evaluate students’ understanding of the /m/ sound and their ability to blend and segment sounds. Use a short quiz, worksheet, or one-on-one reading assessment for this. Tailor your future lessons based on the results of this assessment.

Summarize the lesson by reviewing what was learned. Reiterate the /m/ sound and go over the words again. Encourage students to practice at home by reading books or doing worksheets that reinforce the /m/ sound. Give them a preview of the next letter sound they will be learning to keep them excited about future lessons.

Year One Phonics Lesson Plan: Letter ‘P’

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize and pronounce the sound of the letter ‘P’ and blend it with other sounds to form words.

Begin the lesson by introducing the letter ‘P’ using an interesting and vibrant flashcard. Highlight the sound it makes, which is /p/. Clearly articulate your mouth so students can see how your lips part to make the /p/ sound. Ask the students to repeat the sound several times, ensuring they are using the correct mouth movements.

Go over previously learned letters and their associated sounds. Utilize a phonics chart or flashcards, and have the students say the sounds out loud as you point to each letter. This reinforces previous learning and prepares them for the new lesson.

Initiate blending activities by combining the /p/ sound with other known sounds to create words. Begin with simple two-letter words like ‘up’, ‘pa’, then progress to three-letter words such as ‘pen’, ‘pot’. Encourage students to pronounce each sound separately first, then blend them together into a word.

Teach students to deconstruct words into individual sounds. For example, with the word ‘pot’, help them identify it consists of the sounds /p/, /o/, and /t/. Use sound buttons or counters to help visualize each sound in the word.

Prepare a set of flashcards or a word list that includes words with the /p/ sound. Have students read these words aloud, prompting them to sound out the words initially and then say them quickly. This practice will enhance their decoding skills.

Write simple sentences on the board that incorporate words with the /p/ sound, such as ‘Pop the pink balloon.’ Have students read these sentences aloud. This helps them understand how the /p/ sound fits into the context of a whole sentence.

Conduct a spelling activity where students spell words using the /p/ sound. Start with words they have practiced in the blending and word reading steps. Make this interactive by having a mini spelling bee or a fun group competition.

Assess students’ understanding of the /p/ sound and their ability to blend and segment sounds. This can be done through a short quiz, worksheet, or one-on-one reading assessment. Use this assessment to guide future instruction.

Conclude the lesson by reviewing the /p/ sound and the words that were learned. Encourage students to practice at home by reading books or doing worksheets that reinforce the /p/ sound. Preview the next letter sound they will be learning to keep them excited about upcoming lessons.

Year One Phonics Lesson Plan: Letter ‘T’

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize and pronounce the sound of the letter ‘T’ and blend it with other sounds to form words.

Start by introducing the letter ‘T’ using a large, colorful flashcard. Emphasize the sound it makes, which is /t/. Make sure to articulate your mouth clearly so students can see how your tongue and teeth work together to make the /t/ sound. Have the students repeat the sound several times, ensuring they are using the correct mouth movements.

Review previously learned letters and their associated sounds. Use a set of flashcards or a phonics chart for this step. Point to each letter and have the students say the sound out loud. This not only reinforces previous knowledge but also warms them up for today’s lesson.

Begin blending activities by combining the /t/ sound with other familiar sounds to form words. Start with simple two-letter words like ‘to’, ‘it’, then progress to three-letter words such as ‘top’, ‘cat’. Ensure students pronounce each sound separately first, then blend them together into a word.

Teach students to break down words into individual sounds, a skill known as segmenting. For instance, with the word ‘top’, help them identify it consists of the sounds /t/, /o/, and /p/. Use manipulatives like sound buttons or counters to visualize each sound in the word.

Prepare a set of flashcards or a word list that features words with the /t/ sound. Have the students read the words aloud, prompting them to sound out the words and then say them quickly. This practice will enhance their decoding skills.

Write simple sentences on the board that include words with the /t/ sound, such as ‘Tom took two tomatoes.’ Encourage students to read the sentences aloud, paying attention to fluency and intonation. This will help them understand how the /t/ sound works in the context of a sentence.

Conduct a spelling activity where students spell words using the /t/ sound. You can begin with words they have practiced in the blending and word reading steps. Make this interactive by having a mini spelling bee or a fun group competition.

Evaluate students’ understanding of the /t/ sound and their ability to blend and segment sounds. Use a short quiz, worksheet, or one-on-one reading assessment for this. Tailor your future lessons based on the results of this assessment.

Summarize the lesson by reviewing what was learned. Reiterate the /t/ sound and go over the words again. Encourage students to practice at home by reading books or doing worksheets that reinforce the /t/ sound. Give them a preview of the next letter sound they will be learning to keep them excited about future lessons.

The phonics lesson plans detailed in this article offer a practical, engaging, and effective approach to teaching Year One students the fundamental skill of reading.

As these lessons introduce children to the world of phonics in a fun way, they lay a strong foundation for future educational achievements.

These plans are not only beneficial for teachers seeking innovative teaching methods but also for parents who wish to bolster their child’s learning journey at home.

The simple yet powerful techniques outlined in these lessons ensure that every Year One student gains a robust understanding of phonics and takes confident strides towards becoming an accomplished reader.

Remember, the journey of reading begins with a single letter, and these lesson plans are designed to make that journey as enriching and exciting as possible.

How to Make Reading Fun: Engaging Strategies for All Ages

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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When they start primary school, children will learn to use phonics to spell words that contain these sounds. English writing sometimes represents the same sound in different ways, so they might not always get it right every time (for example, they might spell ‘name’ as ‘naim’ or ‘naym’).

For a full list of the sounds that children will learn to spell in Year 1, take a look at the National Curriculum spelling appendix .

Spelling common exception words

In some English words, the spelling of the word doesn’t appear to fit with the phonemes that children have been taught so far. These are often called ‘common exception words’ or ‘ tricky words ’. In Year 1, children will learn to spell the ones that are used most often in writing. They include:

the, a, do, to, today, of, said, says, are, were, was, is, his, has, I, you, your, they, be, he, me, she, we, no, go, so, by, my, here, there, where, love, come, some, one, once, ask, friend, school, put, push, pull, full, house, our

To practise spelling common exception words, download our Year 1 common exception words worksheet .

Spelling the days of the week

Your child will learn to recite and spell the days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Naming the letters of the alphabet

Your child will learn to:

name the letters of the alphabet in the right order
use letter names to distinguish between alternative spellings of the same sound (for example, to understand that ‘ c eiling’ and ‘ s ea’ use different letters to show the same ‘ss’ sound).

Adding some prefixes and suffixes to words

Suffixes are morphemes (groups of letters that mean something on their own) that are added at the end of a root or root word to change the meaning. Prefixes are morphemes added at the front of a word. Over the course of Year 1, children will learn about some of the most common prefixes and suffixes to change the tense of a word:

using the spelling rule for adding -s or -es as the plural marker for nouns and the third person singular marker for verbs
using the prefix un-
using -ing , -ed , -er, and -est where no change is needed in the spelling of root words. For example, help ing , help ed , help er .

How to help at home

There are lots of ways you can help your Year 1 child with spelling. Here are our top ideas.

1. Practise phonics

Phonics is the main way your child will learn to spell at the start of primary school. You can use phonics by encouraging your child to spell a word by breaking it up into individual sounds and then matching those sounds to the letters of the alphabet.

Video: What is phonics?

Watch this fun animation to find out about phonics and understand the key aspects of learning to read using phonics.

2. Help with spelling homework

Some schools send spelling words home to learn in Year 1, while others just use phonics sessions at school to teach spelling. If words do come home as a list to learn (perhaps for a spelling test), then helping your child to learn them can be really helpful. If they are struggling to remember them, you might:

‘which letters are making the ‘ay’ sound here? Yes, it’s the ‘ai’, just like in ‘gain’ and ‘Spain’. That’s different to the ‘ay’ sound in ‘play’, isn’t it?’

Use over-pronunciation. So for Wednesday , encourage children to say Wed-nes-day as they write. There are lots of words which feature sounds that aren’t always pronounced clearly (such as words ending in -ed ), and over-emphasising these while spelling them out can help fix the spelling in your child’s memory.
Ask your child to write down the words that they need to remember how to spell. The physical act of writing the words by hand helps to anchor the spelling in children’s memories and encourages them to think about the letters that represent the sounds in the word. Typing the words into a PC or tablet isn’t as effective.
Focus your child’s attention on the tricky bits in a word by asking them to highlight them. For example, show them that said has ‘ai’ in the middle and ask them to write the word, and then highlight or underline this part to help them remember. Few resources are more motivating than a highlighter pen for primary-aged children!

3. Play spelling games

Video playlist: how can i help my child with spag.

Charlotte Raby offers her expert advice for helping your child develop their grammar, punctuation, and spelling skills at home.

For example, your child may have to learn ‘room took hoop foot book’. They could make up a silly sentence such as ‘The boy took his book across the room but got his foot caught in a hoop’. Why not draw illustrations to go with the sentences?