ELS: Essential Phonic Readers Review Books: Oxford Reading Levels 1+–3

A set of 12 phonic reading ‘Review’ books for The Knowledge Trust’s validated systematic synthetic phonics programme, Essential Letters and Sounds. Review books are included in the ELS teaching plans to consolidate learning and enable children to practise previously taught phonemes. They are generally ‘unlocked’ in week 5 of every half term (6 teaching weeks) and other specified weeks within the Essential Letters and Sounds programme of teaching.

These 12 books will be used in the specified teaching weeks in Reception, from Autumn Term 1, week 5, until Spring Term 2, week 6. 

Schools who are familiar with Oxford reading books will find reference to the Oxford Level, book band and L & S Phase on the back cover of every book. Subscription to Essential Letters and Sounds will provide guidance on when to ‘unlock’ each reading book in the teaching weeks or use our handy guide here.

Children take home books that they can read and will enjoy re-reading 3 to 4 times. These quality readers are diverse and include exciting fiction and non-fiction texts that are representative and inclusive. Reading books could be matched to a Letters and Sounds (2007) based reading programme.

Books contain the GPC’s and harder to read and spell words (HRSW’s) in line with the teaching of the ELS programme and Phases. Within this programme, books will be shared each Friday in the classroom.

These 12 ‘review books’ provide extra books that revisit sounds and consolidate learning, allowing staff the ability to review children’s learning and progress.

Suitable for:  Children at Oxford Reading Levels 1+–3, Pink to Yellow Book Bands, 4–5-year-olds, Reception/ Primary 1.

All books will be fully fitted with a protective book jacket, free of charge, to help books to last longer in school.