Writing

Writing

Writing is closely related to reading. The two activities reinforce each other. That is why most of our English lessons are encompassed around a quality text. We then analyse the text to develop our understand and from there try to write our own and alternative version of the text, in our own style or the style of a particular author. Additionally, we write non-fiction and fiction pieces based on events, characters and settings based in the text. E.g, we write a newspaper report based on an activity within the book. It is important that pupils learn to write independently from an early stage. The teaching of phonics, spelling and handwriting complements this process and are used to support writing and build up accuracy and speed. Correct letter formation is taught from the beginning and joined handwriting is reinforced in Year 3, based on their exit points in Year 2. Later on, pupils are shown how to plan, draft, revise, proof read and edit their work.

Children are taught to punctuate their work correctly using the most essential punctuation marks.

Spelling

Great emphasis is placed on spelling within English lessons. The children are required to learn selected words, which support their reading and writing activities. Weekly spelling sessions are followed from the No Nonsense Spelling scheme, which is seen around the whole school. The hope is that children will learn new rules around spelling as they travel up through the years.

Handwriting

Our school follows the Nelson's handwriting scheme. From Year 3, children are taught the rules of handwriting and are encouraged and modelled how to form particular letters, words and write a sentence, incorporating important features, such as; letter height, ascenders and descenders, letter spacing and word spacing.