Phonics is a crucial element in learning to read and Write, and Read, Write, Inc. (RWI) has revolutionised how it’s taught. RWI is a dynamic and systematic phonics program to equip children with the necessary literacy skills.
It’s designed to foster a love for reading and writing while ensuring each child gains a solid foundation in these essential life skills.
In this article, we will delve into how RWI effectively teaches phonics, transforming young learners into confident readers and writers.
From introducing sounds and blending them to form words to fostering comprehension through engaging stories, RWI employs a holistic approach that makes learning an enjoyable journey.
So, whether you’re an educator seeking better teaching methods or a parent wanting to support your child’s literacy journey, this guide will provide valuable insights into the RWI method.
Related: For more, check out our article on What Jolly Phonics Is?

Understanding Phonics
Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing by developing learners’ phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes or the smallest units of sound that can differentiate meaning.
In other words, phonics teaches the relationship between sounds and their spelling patterns or symbolic representations, known as letters.
Learning phonics involves applying this knowledge to decode new words, read aloud, and spell words correctly.
For example, when children learn that the letter ‘p’ represents the sound /p/, and ‘a’ represents the sound /a/, they can combine these sounds to form words like ‘pat’ or ‘tap.’
Phonics is essential for reading and writing skills because it lays the foundation for understanding language mechanics.
By mastering phonics, students can “decode” words, breaking them down into their constituent sounds.
This not only aids in reading fluency but also contributes significantly to comprehension since understanding the words on a page is the first step towards grasping the meaning of the text.
Furthermore, phonics instruction improves spelling ability. Since phonics focuses on the relationship between sounds and letters, students who learn to segment words into their sounds will find it easier to spell words correctly.
Related: For more, check out our article on How To Follow Development Matters With Phonics here.
The RWI Approach to Phonics
The Read, Write, Inc (RWI) approach to phonics is a comprehensive, systematic method that breaks down learning to read and write into manageable chunks.
It’s designed to ensure that every child makes progress and no child is left behind.
This approach starts with teaching the basic alphabetic code. Children learn the 44 sounds in the English language and their corresponding letters or groups of letters.
They also learn to blend these sounds to read words and segment words into their constituent sounds for spelling.
RWI uses a unique sequence for teaching these sounds, starting with the most common sounds and gradually introducing less frequent ones.
This allows children to start reading words and simple sentences early on, which boosts their confidence and fosters a love for reading.
The RWI approach places a strong emphasis on vocabulary development and comprehension. Once children can decode words, they read storybooks that are carefully matched to their phonic knowledge.
These books are engaging and humorous, making reading an enjoyable activity. Each book also includes discussion prompts to enhance comprehension and develop higher-order thinking skills.
RWI uses a cycle of instruction where children review and practice what they have learned, and then learn something new. This ensures that learning is consolidated and extended.
RWI recognizes the importance of handwriting in literacy development. It incorporates handwriting instructions from the very beginning, teaching children to form letters correctly.
This not only improves their writing fluency but also reinforces their knowledge of the alphabetic code.
Related: For more, check out our article on whether Phonics and Phonetics Are The Same here.
Key Components of RWI Phonics Program
The RWI Phonics Program is structured around three key components that work in harmony to build a solid foundation for children’s literacy skills. These components are:
1. Introduction to Sounds
The first step in the RWI Phonics Program is to introduce children to the various sounds that make up the English language.
This is done through a systematic and sequential approach, starting with the simplest and most common sounds and gradually progressing to more complex ones.
Each sound is associated with a particular letter or group of letters. Children are taught how to articulate these sounds correctly and recognize their corresponding written forms.
2. Blending Sounds to Form Words
Once children grasp individual sounds, they are taught to blend these sounds together to form words. This is a crucial skill in reading, as it allows children to decode unfamiliar words.
For example, if a child knows the sounds for ‘c’, ‘a’, and ‘t’, they can blend these sounds to read the word ‘cat’.
The RWI program uses a technique called “Fred Talk” for this purpose, where words are broken down into sounds (e.g., c-a-t) and then blended together.
3. Reading Comprehension Through Engaging Stories
The final component of the RWI Phonics Program involves applying the phonics skills to read engaging storybooks.
These books are carefully designed to match the phonic knowledge children have acquired, allowing them to read with confidence and fluency.
Each book also comes with comprehension questions and discussion prompts to develop children’s understanding of the text and encourage deeper thinking.
This component not only enhances children’s reading comprehension but also fosters a love for reading.
Benefits of the RWI Method
The RWI method has proven to be remarkably effective in teaching children how to read and write. Here’s why:
1. Systematic and Structured Approach:
The RWI method follows a systematic and structured approach, introducing sounds and concepts in a sequence that is easy for children to grasp.
This ensures a steady progression in learning, where new knowledge builds on what children have already learned.
2. Emphasis on Comprehension:
Unlike some phonics programs which focus solely on decoding words, the RWI method also places a strong emphasis on comprehension.
Children read storybooks matched to their phonic knowledge, with discussion prompts to develop understanding and encourage deeper thinking.
3. Inclusion of Handwriting Instructions:
The RWI method incorporates handwriting instructions from the start. This not only improves writing fluency but also reinforces the knowledge of the alphabetic code, forming a stronger connection between sounds and letters.
4. Boosts Confidence:
By enabling children to start reading words and sentences early, the RWI method boosts their confidence. This confidence makes them more eager to learn, creating a positive learning cycle.
Real-World Success Stories:
Schools all over the world have reported significant improvements in children’s reading and writing abilities after implementing the RWI method.
For instance, St. Stephen’s Primary School in East London saw a dramatic increase in their pupils’ literacy levels after adopting the RWI method.
Within two years, the percentage of Year 1 pupils reaching the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check rose from 62% to 92%.
Similarly, at Kobi Nazrul Primary School, also in East London, the RWI method helped to raise reading standards considerably. The school reported that by the end of Reception, most children could read simple sentences, and by Year 2, the majority were fluent readers.
These success stories underscore the effectiveness of the RWI method in teaching phonics and fostering a love for reading.
Benefits of the RWI Method
The RWI method has proven remarkably effective in teaching children how to read and write. Here’s why:
1. Systematic and Structured Approach:
The RWI method follows a systematic and structured approach, introducing sounds and concepts in a sequence that is easy for children to grasp.
This ensures a steady progression in learning, where new knowledge builds on what children have already learned.
2. Emphasis on Comprehension:
Unlike some phonics programs which focus solely on decoding words, the RWI method also places a strong emphasis on comprehension.
Children read storybooks matched to their phonic knowledge, with discussion prompts to develop understanding and encourage deeper thinking.
3. Inclusion of Handwriting Instructions:
The RWI method incorporates handwriting instructions from the start. This not only improves writing fluency but also reinforces the knowledge of the alphabetic code, forming a stronger connection between sounds and letters.
4. Boosts Confidence:
By enabling children to start reading words and sentences early, the RWI method boosts their confidence. This confidence makes them more eager to learn, creating a positive learning cycle.
Real-World Success Stories:
Schools worldwide have reported significant improvements in children’s reading and writing abilities after implementing the RWI method.
For instance, St. Stephen’s Primary School in East London saw a dramatic increase in pupils’ literacy levels after adopting the RWI method.
Within two years, the percentage of Year 1 pupils reaching the expected standard in the Phonics Screening Check rose from 62% to 92%.
Similarly, at Kobi Nazrul Primary School, also in East London, the RWI method helped to raise reading standards considerably.
The school reported that by the end of Reception, most children could read simple sentences, and by Year 2, most were fluent readers.
These success stories underscore the effectiveness of the RWI method in teaching phonics and fostering a love for reading.
Conclusion
The RWI approach to phonics has proven to be an invaluable tool in literacy development.
Its systematic and structured method of introducing sounds, blending them to form words, and applying these skills to real reading situations provides children with a comprehensive understanding of the English language.
This approach not only equips them with essential reading and writing skills but also fosters a love for reading and learning.
Moreover, the strong emphasis on comprehension and inclusion of handwriting instructions further enhances children’s literacy skills.
The RWI method is not just about decoding words but about understanding and engaging with the text. It also acknowledges the importance of good handwriting in literacy development, reinforcing the connection between sounds and letters.
Success stories from around the world testify to the effectiveness of the RWI method. Schools implementing this approach have significantly improved their pupils’ reading and writing abilities.
The progress seen in these children’s literacy levels is a testament to the power of this method.
The RWI approach to phonics is a robust, comprehensive, and effective method for teaching children how to read and write.
It is recommended for continued use in schools and at home for successful literacy development.
This approach not only builds a solid foundation for children’s academic success but also instils in them a lifelong love for reading and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What type of phonics is Read Write Inc?
Read Write Inc (RWI) is a synthetic phonics program. It teaches children to read by sounding out and blending individual sounds, or phonemes, to form words. It also incorporates segmenting, which is breaking down words into their component sounds.
2. How does reading help with phonics?
Reading helps reinforce phonics skills by providing opportunities for children to apply what they’ve learned.
For instance, when a child encounters a new word in a book, they can use their phonics knowledge to decode the word, reinforcing their understanding of the sound-letter relationships.
3. How is phonics used to teach reading and writing?
Phonics is used to teach reading and writing by helping children understand the relationship between sounds (phonemes) and their written representation (graphemes).
In other words, it teaches children how to match the sounds in our language with the letters or groups of letters that represent these sounds. This knowledge allows children to decode new words when reading and encode sounds when spelling and writing.
4. What is the benefit of Read, Write, Inc?
The RWI method offers numerous benefits. It follows a systematic approach, making it easier for children to grasp the concepts. It emphasizes comprehension, ensuring children not only decode words but understand the meaning behind them.
It also includes handwriting instructions, thereby improving writing fluency. Most importantly, it boosts children’s confidence in their reading abilities, fostering a love for learning.
5. How does the RWI method boost children’s confidence?
By enabling children to start reading words and sentences early on, the RWI method gives them a sense of achievement and boosts their confidence. This increased confidence makes children more eager to learn, creating a positive learning cycle.
6. Can the RWI method be used at home?
Yes, the RWI method can certainly be used at home. Parents and caregivers can use the techniques taught in the program to help their children practice reading and writing skills outside of school. This can help reinforce what children learn in school and accelerate their progress.
7. Are there any real-world success stories with the RWI method?
Yes, numerous success stories from schools worldwide have implemented the RWI method. These schools have reported significant improvements in their pupils’ reading and writing abilities, highlighting the effectiveness of the method in enhancing literacy skills.