Writing

Writing

When writing in English and across the curriculum, we use a wide range of starting points and ‘hooks’, including: drama, picture books, children’s fiction and non-fiction, poetry, visitors, visits, current world developments, pictures and video. By providing a variety of inspiring sources, the children are engaged and keen to write. The children write for a variety of purposes and audiences. They also develop their understanding of the writing genres for non-fiction and fiction. Careful tracking is in place to ensure that pupils in both KS1 and KS2 have opportunities to write in a variety of genres. The skills of grammar and punctuation are embedded across the curriculum, and children apply these in their writing in all subjects.

Vocabulary development

Across the school the adults strive to continually develop children’s language and give them a wide range of vocabulary to make interesting choices in their writing. Specific vocabulary is identified and promoted for each text and used to develop the children’s own writing. Children are supported in their understanding of these new and often ambitious words. Children’s vocabulary development is also promoted across the curriculum, like in Science sessions, where the children need to use specific terminology.

Spellings

From Year 1 we follow the No-Nonsense spelling scheme which links to the National Curriculum guidelines for Statutory and Non-Statutory words and gives children numerous strategies for remembering words. We also have a number of mnemonic patterns which the children learn. Where possible, links are also made to learn spelling patterns in reading and writing in English lessons.

Handwriting

At Ivington, we use the Ruth Miskin letter formation and the Nelson Handwriting scheme to ensure consistency in letter formation and joins. The children have handwriting sessions taught during the week to ensure that they are regularly practising their handwriting. Throughout year 1 and year 2 the children are developing their letter formation and starting to learn how to join some of their letters using horizontal and diagonal joins. From Year 3, there is an expectation that children will be using joined handwriting.

Reading and Writing in EYFS

Reception children carry out a range of early Literacy activities as part of their daily teaching and learning. Children have access to writing materials and a wide variety of resources to encourage high quality early literacy experiences. These include: opportunities for speaking and listening, reading, mark making, identification and use of phonic sounds, role play and activities to develop fine motor control. Early writing skills are also developed though activities such as story scribing.

Children have a daily phonics lesson as a crucial element in developing their early reading and writing skills. 

Children are able to take home picture books to share with their grown-up at home to help develop their story telling and vocabulary linked to the pictures. Once a child can recall 20 phonic sounds, they are able to take a closely-matched phonics book home which will consolidate learning from the phonics sessions taught previously.