Teach phonics and get active with Actiphons

June 24th 2021

Actiphons follows the phonics sequence of Letters and Sounds, and incorporates physical activity and movement, ensuring active learning and fun! 

The Actiphons cast present a unique, innovative teaching programme combining phonics and physical activity to help children learn in a fun and exciting way. The Actiphons series is perfect for learning at home or in the classroom. A user guide and teacher’s resource pack are both available to download for free, complete with activity ideas, extra learning materials and so much more… Keep reading to discover top tips for using Actiphons in your classroom or library!

Tip 1: Get active!

Meet the Actiphons: Leaping Livia, Timmy Tennis, Swimming Sally…

Each sporty character introduces a specific grapheme and phoneme and has its own individual action. In each new book, children learn the characters’ actions and say their sounds. This active, multi-sensory approach helps to keep children engaged and builds a strong connection between the letters, sounds and actions. Story audio and pronunciation videos help children get the sounds right, and the fun sporty action animations help to reinforce children’s phonics learning.

Tip 2: Follow the Framework…

Actiphons is arranged into three levels and aligns with Letters and Sounds. In Levels 1 and 2, there is simple decodable child text in large, bold type on each page, along with unlevelled text for the adult to read – whether as part of a shared reading session in the classroom, or as extra practice at home. By Level 3, the books only contain decodable text for the child to read independently. The text for children to read at each level is completely decodable, except for a limited range of high-frequency tricky words which are reinforced throughout the series.

There are helpful teaching notes for using the books at each Actiphons level, to help you or a Teaching Assistant structure an effective reading session for individuals or groups.

> Download sample from the Actiphons Teacher’s Guide (PDF)

Tip 3: Press print.

A set of printable flashcards helps reinforce each grapheme and phoneme, and can be used for a range of activities. Songbooks are provided with lyrics for singing along. Each character’s song reinforces their letter sound and fun sporty action. Posters show the graphemes and characters in each of the three levels, writing activities, sound mats and assessments are provided for each level and reward charts and certificates help track progress and celebrate learning achievements in school or at home.

> Unlock your full set of printable resources on the Ladybird Education website 

Tip 4: Get digital.

Whiteboards at the ready…

Every Actiphons book contains a unique code that unlocks additional resources on our website. Accompanying web-based eBooks and audiobooks are provided for every story – perfect for teaching from a whiteboard.

The online animations and pronunciation videos make a lively class activity to help young learners practice each character’s action and letter sound.

Tip 5: Bring parents on board!

Bring the Actiphons home

At the start of each book there is a quick, straightforward explanation of how to use the book with a young learner. Perfect for practising phonics at home!

The character fact file will bring parents up to speed on the character’s name, letter sound and sporty action. Then it’s time to read along together with their young learner.

Browse the Actiphons books now