Writing
Writing is an essential tool in the learning process. Children write to express their emotions, to convey their thoughts and opinions and to present evidence of research. By developing these skills we can equip our children to use writing across the range of curricular activities in which they are involved.
At Giffard Park we use the ‘I Am A Clever Writer’ approach. It is a 'clear structured approach to teaching writing' where each skill of writing is broken down into small steps. Teaching sequences are carefully planned to ensure opportunities for consolidation and the development of a skill relating to the Clever Writer Checklist. The Clever Writer Checklist remains visible and accessible within the learning environment and added to as new skills are introduced.
Pupils take an in-depth look at a text and create a piece of writing inspired by its content. Each unit follows a broadly similar structure: reading and discussing the stimulus and unpicking a WAGOLL (‘What a good one looks like’) for children to see what their end product may look like, practising skills after modelling from the teacher; and a star write where children are given the opportunity to produce writing based on all that they have learnt across the unit of work as well as previous learning. Teachers build a ‘working wall’ with their modelled examples, vocabulary and the Clever Writer checklist.
Grammar and punctuation form the basis of the skills that are taught throughout each unit. Vocabulary forms a vital part of developing children's writing and children are supported with ‘Star words’ and word banks and are encouraged to use these within their own writing.
Children are taught to think about the audience, purpose and form of their writing. Children are taught how to structure their writing using sentences, paragraphs and headings as appropriate.
Phonics/Spellings
Phonics is taught to all children in daily sessions that are tailored to each child’s ability starting in Foundation Stage and continuing throughout Year 1 and Year 2. We follow Ruth Miskin’s ‘Read Write Inc.’ scheme of phonics. Children are taught in ability groups to enable focused development of their phonics knowledge and application.
We use Spelling Shed to support the teaching and learning of spelling through a range of activities focusing on phonics, morphology and etymology.
Handwriting
At Giffard Park we believe that a flexible, fluent and legible handwriting style empowers children to write with confidence. Efficient handwriting leads to high quality writing and as such, we actively teach it as part of the English curriculum. Formal handwriting skills are taught regularly and systematically through the use of the PENPALS Handwriting scheme (Cambridge University Press). Five stages of handwriting are identified and these form the basic organisation of the scheme: readiness for writing: gross and fine motor skills leading to letter formation, beginning to join, securing joins, practising speed and fluency and presentation skills. Handwriting sessions at Giffard Park typically include a physical warm up to prepare the body, a physical activity engaging the gross motor skills required for the letters and joins taught that lesson, a clear description of the skill being taught, modelling from the class teacher and then time for children to practice. By providing frequent and regular handwriting sessions the skills learnt will then transfer into children’s wider work.
At Giffard Park we encourage our children to be proud of the work that they produce.
Planning for ‘I Am A Clever Writer’ approach is subject to copyright and cannot be published on our website. Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you would like to see a more detailed breakdown of genre and skills progression.
