Read Write Inc. Phonics: Red Ditty Book 8 Let's Swim - Softcover

Read Write Inc. actually teaches children to read and write. We love using this programme because children achieve so much so quickly. They want to read and write. It's the best literacy programme we have ever known. (Lorna Jackson, Headteacher, Maryland Primary School)

There are many dimensions to your programme that support teaching and learningLThe successful teaching that has been evident since September has had beneficial effects on learning and behaviour across the school. (Sue Watts, Furrow Community School)

The Ditties are short, phonically decodable passages based on the letter sounds learned in Speed Sounds Set 1. Each book contains three Ditties and seven reading activities, including: a list of Speed Sounds to practise before reading each Ditty, a list of Green words and Red words ('tricky' high-frequency words) and questions to talk about. The Ditties prepare children to quickly move on to the Storybooks, building their vocabulary and ensuring they will be able to decode all the words in the stories with confidence.

There are accompanying Get Writing! Red Ditty Books which provide practice in early writing skills and a Get Writing! Handbook which contains guidance on how to use the Ditties to support children's writing.

Full guidance on using the Ditties as part of Read Write Inc. can be found in the Read Write Inc. Phonics Handbook.

Channel 4 featured Ruth Miskin and the Read Write Inc. method being used in schools in a series of programmes broadcast in Autumn 2007 and Summer 2008. Read Write Inc. raised standards and turned struggling and non-readers into more confident and competent readers.