What is decoding?

Decoding is the process of reading a word by sounding out the letter sounds and blending them together. 

What are decodable books?

Designed for children who are learning to read, decodable books are carefully written stories and texts that only use the letter sounds students have been taught. They offer pupils the opportunity to practise decoding words which in turn helps to develop their reading fluency by sounding out the letters on the page and blending them into words. With repeated practice, children can read words quickly and fluently, gradually recognising them by sight. They also have an opportunity to develop word recognition for high-frequency words that will help them to read fluently.  

Decodable books should: 

• Contain words using the letter sounds the pupil has learnt
• Provide essential practice of phonics skills
• Encourage children to sound out and decode each word
• Feature fewer than 20% high-frequency or ‘heart’ words

Why Phonic Books? 

Created by reading specialists, Phonic Books has a history of delighting and engaging children learning to read. 

• The books complement any systematic phonics programme. 
• They offer incremental and cumulative progression through the series.
• There are multiple sets which cover the same phonics progression to ensure that pupils who need extra practice have a new story to engage and motivate them. 
• Each series has an accompanying, photocopiable activity book which includes teaching and practice activities to support the learner and build their reading confidence.