Ages 3-4
Create a firm foundation for literacy
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Rocket Phonics has a simple mission: to ensure every learner becomes a lifelong reader and writer.
The proven story-based approach by literacy expert Abigail Steel puts a love of reading at the heart of phonics. By working with primary schools, we’ve created a next-generation programme that will:
- raise phonics attainment
- develop wider literacy skills
- ignite a love for books in your learners
- and put the joy back into your teaching.
Rocket Phonics is aligned to Letters and Sounds and provides everything needed to teach a complete SSP programme including fully-decodable reading books, flashcards, assessments, daily lesson plans and display materials. Plus, we provide bespoke CPD training to ensure your school feels confident in delivering the Rocket Phonics programme with ease, confidence and impact.
What's new from Rocket Phonics
The Rocket Phonics Journey
Ages 3-4
Create a firm foundation for literacy with a fun introductory phonics programme based on Phases 1-2 of Letters and Sounds. For children aged 3-4.
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Ensure young learners develop the skills they need to start their reading journey, through a focus on oral communication and phonemic awareness
- Introduce letter-sounds in the order of natural speech development and expand vocabulary using the flashcards and immersive Big Book stories
- Build confidence and enjoyment in learning through much-loved nursery rhymes, fun ditties and child-centred games and activities
- Develop letter-recognition skills using the accessible Activity Booklets that strengthen fine motor skills and provide practise for mark making and emergent handwriting
- Demonstrate how to navigate a book and practise early blending using vibrant reading books for Lilac and Lilac+ bands
Teacher favourites
How Rocket Phonics works
The Rocket Phonics Journey
What's included
Samples
Rocket Phonics for Hubs
Parent support
Rocket Phonics CPD
Feel empowered to deliver phonics and literacy to suit your learners' needs through structured yet flexible teaching. Follow the Rocket Phonics journey all the way through Foundation and Key Stage 1:
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First Steps for ages 3-4
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Rocket Phonics SSP for ages 4-6
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Next Steps for ages 6-7
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Introduce and revise letter-sounds using colourful flashcards.
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Learn and revise letter-sounds in context and ignite a love of story by sharing the unique Big books stories, and playing fun interactive games as a class.
- Gradually build confidence and consistently practise reading and writing using the write-in booklets.
- Consolidate skills and spark a passion for reading through a rich collection of aligned and fully decodable reading books.
- Use the weekly assessments to ensure that learners stay on track.
A guide to phonics for parents and schools
Phonics, at its core, breaks spoken words down into their constituent sounds and correlates that with alphabetic symbols, that is, letters and letter groups. The use of verbal and written language has made this method of teaching one of the most recommended for schools in the past decade.
This guide takes parents and schools through the concept pf phonics teaching and learning step-by-step:
- Introduction to phonics
- Core elements of phonics
- Advice for teachers
- Advice for parents
- FAQs and resources
Evidencing the impact of Rocket Phonics
In 2021, we launched an Impact Trial in a select group of UK primary schools. Working with independent evaluators from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Birmingham, the Trial aimed to measure the impact of Rocket Phonics on reading attainment and reading enjoyment in comparison with other schools using other SSP programmes.
Report highlights:
- Pupils using Rocket Phonics, including those starting Year 1 with very low phonics knowledge, saw a rapid and measurable increase in phonics knowledge.
- Despite higher percentages of PP and EAL children in schools using Rocket Phonics, pupils’ attainment was in line with control schools and spelling appeared slightly better, based on average pre- and post-trial standardised test scores.
- Compared with those using other SSP programmes, teachers’ attitudes towards teaching phonics were far more positive amongst Rocket Phonics schools.
- Independent observational evidence indicated that children and teachers enjoyed their phonics lessons, and children engaged well with the Rocket Phonics resources they used.
Why teachers love Rocket Phonics
"The response to the scheme from every teacher at the school has been excitement. They’re amazed at the children’s progress. We are now in the best position we have ever been with regards to phonics and reading. We have transformed the attitude towards phonics amongst our adults in school (who now believe children ‘can’ do it!) and our children (who now believe phonics is fun!)."
What more teachers are saying...
The response to the scheme from every teacher at the school has been excitement. They’re amazed at the children’s progress.
Annie Dobbie, Phonics Lead Ebor Gardens Primary AcademyWe are now in the best position we have ever been with regards to phonics and reading. We have transformed the attitude towards phonics amongst our adults in school (who now believe children ‘can’ do it!) and our children (who now believe phonics is fun!).
Amy Brookes, Assistant Principal and Phonics and Reading Lead Victoria Primary AcademyMy preschool staff are really enjoying teaching the phonics scheme! The children are really enjoying learning the sounds. I’m having to go in all the time and see the children as they keep wanting to tell me what sound they are learning that day!
Sophie Wyatt, Early Years, Phonics and Early Reading Lead St. Barnabas CE First and Middle SchoolAs teachers, we love the way that aspects of grammar, spelling and handwriting are interwoven into the scheme allowing all these elements to be addressed without having to find more time within an already stretched timetable.
Louise Johnston, EYFS/Key Stage 1 Phase Leader Cheadle Heath Primary SchoolThe materials are clear, linear and distraction free and the small, cumulative steps benefit all pupils. Teacher workload in relation to phonics tuition is significantly reduced as all of the materials and lesson plans are readily available and easily accessible. We would highly recommend the Rocket Phonics programme!
Jane Davies, Head Teacher Boyne Hill Infant and Nursery School
Join our Online Rocket Phonics Community
Share ideas, ask questions and get help with Reading Planet Rocket Phonics by joining our Facebook Group.
Is Rocket Phonics a complete systematic synthetic phonics (SSP) teaching programme?
Yes. Rocket Phonics provides all the planning and resources needed to deliver a complete SSP programme that will equip children for success in the Phonics Screening Check in Year 1, as well as meet or exceed the expectations of the National Curriculum for reading.
Does Rocket Phonics align with Letters and Sounds?
Rocket Phonics is aligned with the progression of the original Letters and Sounds (2007).
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First Steps for age 3-4 covers Phases 1-2
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SSP Programme for age 4-6 covers Phase 2-6
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Next Steps for age 6-7 covers Phase 6
Can I use Rocket Phonics with learners aged 7+ who are behind in phonics?
Rocket Phonics has been created for age 3-7 so the content may feel too young for older learners. However, the Pupil Practice Booklets and Flashcards could work as part of a group intervention session to revisit and practise sounds.
Reading Planet’s Astro has been specifically designed for struggling and reluctant readers age 7+. It includes 24 highly decodable books aligned to the same progression as Rocket Phonics so they’re ideal for pupils who haven’t yet mastered aspects of phonics and need to improve their fluency. These books are dual-banded combining lower reading levels with age-appropriate interest levels so the content will be more suitable for an older age range. Learn more here.
Can I try Rocket Phonics before I buy?
If you would like to look at the Rocket Phonics resources before buying, we recommend that you take out a 30-day trial. Trials are completely free and there is no obligation to subscribe. You can trial all our subscriptions with the exception of the Rocket Phonics Online Training Course subscription. Register for a free trial here.
Is Rocket Phonics a DfE validated programme?
Yes. As of July 2021, Rocket Phonics is a DfE validated systematic synthetic phonics programme.
Do you provide CPD training?
Yes, our CPD training is led by Abigail Steel Training with in-person and virtual options available. To get the most out of the programme, we recommend that schools complete a minimum of 1-day of CPD training. Learn more about our CPD here.
Can I talk to someone about buying Rocket Phonics for my school?
Yes! Our team of global Consultants are happy to help with information, advice and orders. Make an enquiry here.
Can I use Rocket Phonics internationally?
Yes, Rocket Phonics can be used internationally in any school in which English is the medium of instruction and/or has expectations of children achieving high level of fluency within the early years. Contact your local consultant to find out more here.
Meet the author
Abigail Steel is an education consultant, trainer and author specialising in English language and literacy. After spending two decades working closely with hundreds of schools and teachers in the UK and across the globe, Abigail knows what truly drives positive outcomes for children. Often described as inspirational, her approaches to the pedagogies behind teaching and learning are both practical and insightful.
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