Writing

We are a Talk for Writing School

Talk for Writing was developed by the author Pie Corbett. It is fundamentally based on the key principles of how children learn. Talk for Writing enables children to imitate the key language they need orally before they try reading, analysing and recording it.  It is a fun, creative yet also rigorous approach to develop writers.

Talk for Writing has three key phases which work together to develop knowledge, confidence and independence in writing:

Imitation

During this phase the children create actions to accompany the oral re-telling of the story. They also create story maps, using pictures and symbols, to depict actions and events from the text. The key to success for the children is that they internalise the text type through repetition and rehearsal. They also begin to look closely at the language and text features that have been used. 

Innovation

During this phase the teacher and the children begin to change aspects of the model text using their own ideas. They explore the text using different characters, settings or events and new ideas for descriptive language whilst sticking closely to the underlying structure. This process enables the children to write their own versions through developing their ability to generate good words and phrases.  It is during this phase that children also look at how they can address their targets to progress their writing.

Invention

During this phase the children plan and write their own story based on the text type they have been learning. They experiment with the ideas and begin to explore their own style of writing using sentence types from the model text before finally writing their version of the text. 

No-Nonsense Spelling

No Nonsense Spelling is a complete spelling programme. The programme is an effective spelling teaching programme from Year 2 to Year 6. The daily programme breaks down the requirements of the National Curriculum into strands with individual lesson plans and resources and develops children's spelling strategies across the school.

Grammar Hammer

Each week all pupils complete a grammar test which includes 25 questions based on different elements of grammar. 

Teacher’s mark the grammar hammer, then return it to pupils. At the bottom of the Grammar Hammer sheet,  pupils’ scores are converted into colours…red, yellow and green.  Pupils strive to be green and enjoy beating last week’s score, aiming to get their own personal best.

This helps pupils to retain prior knowledge.

Handwriting
 
We follow 'Letter Join' cursive handwriting form Reception to year 6. Click on this link for further information.