• success builds success •

case study

Sam's story

The story teller

Sam is dyslexic and used Phonics Flip to help him become a better reader and speller. He was always desperate to read independently because he loved stories and knew reading would open up an endless world of new ones. However, he faced challenges on his path to literacy. Sam’s remarkable success story unfolded through his unwavering determination and the help of Phonics Flip. Reading was not as easy as he had imagined. While some of his classmates seemed to effortlessly decode words, Sam struggled to make sense of letters and their sounds. Frustration and self-doubt crept in, but he refused to give up. Sam’s mum, Sara, noticed his struggles and decided to take action. Together they used Phonics Flip. The clear letter-sound-image associations quickly won him over. Each day, Sam would spend time going through the Phonics Flip cards, practising the letter sounds, blending sounds into words, and building his phonemic awareness. He began to notice the patterns in words and sounds, and his confidence grew with every card he mastered. One day on the way to school he was suddenly able to read the billboards, he was overjoyed. His once nemesis (his words) reading and spelling, had transformed into a friend. Sam’s journey was a testament to the power of continued effort and determination, his parents’ support, and Phonics Flip’s effectiveness. Sam is now successfully studying for his GCSEs and is an avid reader.

Ava's story

A parent's insight

Ava is in year one at a “good” school in West Yorkshire, but she’s in a class of 30. It is a large group of children. Sometimes children can get left behind.  Clare, Ava’s mum, uses Phonics Flip. She is in the lucky situation where Ava’s school uses Phonics Flip to help children and parents at home. Clare was concerned for Ava as her sister is dyslexic and struggled. Clare wanted to help Ava right from the start. She says, “I prefer the schools having the packs to pass on to kids and parents – it’s important that the school is onboard.”

Ava loves Phonics Flip and is so proud of her cards, every time she gets home from school she empties her bag and gets out her new cards. She colours the new ones and practices with the old ones. The determination to become an independent reader is massive, Ava cannot wait to be able to choose her own books and read them all by herself. She’s a world wind of activity and is always on the go. Clare says, “It makes me feel safe in the knowledge that Phonics Flip is helping her to master her letter awareness.”

Ava keeps practising to reach her goal. Ultimately Ava is in control of the cards but the cards also help Clare to be able to understand the rules and ways to spell different sounds. She feels more involved and informed. Clare can see what Ava is learning due to the cards being sent home.

Ava will have a go at reading anything now, she isn’t nervous of new words. Phonics Flip has supported the knowledge and confidence to give any word a go. She won’t always get a new word right straight away but she gets enough of it to work out what it could be. Her cards have made her knowledge of letters automatic which really speeds up her decoding. This really empowers her and Clare can see the joy on Ava’s face when she reads a new word. The constant development of her phonics knowledge has built a strong base. Clare knows that Ava’s Phonics Flip cards have developed her skills. She said “Ava has  started to read words while we are out and it’s so lovely to see her growing knowledge.”

Thanks to Phonics Flip Clare feels:

●More aware of where Ava is in her learning

●Loves the consistent approach

●Happy because Ava loves the cards

●Supported as Ava is in control

●Her mind is at ease because she trusts the process

Clare believes that using Phonics Flip has ensured Ava is successful with her literacy. Ava’s confidence and ability has been boosted. She regularly uses the ‘Ways to Spell’ cards to help her with spelling choices. She has them on her desk while writing to support her spelling. The cards build her confidence and improve her success. Ava uses the cards daily and they have had a great impact on her.

Clare said, “There is nothing else like this, it’s a real support both for Ava and myself. I feel more involved in her Phonics learning. I wish my older daughter used them.”

Overall, Phonics Flip has helped both mum and daughter. They love them and can see the positive impact they have. On a final note Clare says, “Get your school childchildboyinvolved, so your kids can be successful at literacy. It’s helped us and can help you too.”

“Learning phonics is tough. It is amazing how quickly teachers fly through the sounds. The National Curriculum moves fast and it’s easy to fall behind.”

-Clare, Ava’s Mum-

the power of the flip