English

The purpose of English is to teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others and through their reading and listening, others can communicate with them.

National Curriculum Programme of Study

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study/national-curriculum-in-england-english-programmes-of-study

Mastering Writing for a Purpose

Writing

At St. Norbert’s we believe the ability to write is one of the fundamental skills children will need for lifelong learning. We aim for children to enjoy writing and to understand the purpose of writing, as well as have a good knowledge of the basics of grammar, handwriting, punctuation and sentence construction. Children will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of a range of different writing. They will spend time learning what makes a good piece of writing, and will use this to edit and improve their own work. Teaching Staff will allow plenty of opportunities for pupils to develop their ideas in a range of ways. We place a high focus on training children to identify the development needs in their own writing, with support and guidance from the teacher. This enables them to be more reflective learners and develops lifelong writing skills.

Writing: Supporting Your Child at Home

Children need to want to write in order to become successful writers. Give them a purpose for their writing; ask them to help you with the shopping list or allow them time to write about something that interests them. Most of all make it fun! Special paper and pens can really encourage them! It is important for children to see you writing. Maybe write something together! Make a poster or write a recount of a trip you have been on for friends! Children need to experience lots of different types of writing to enable them to write for different purposes! So share a range of texts with them when reading to give them experience of different structures, styles and language. Talk to your child’s class teacher or look at the Year Group curriculum summaries on our website to find out what your children are focusing on.

Grammar and Punctuation

Grammar is taught daily in one aspect of the lesson and if applicable in “stand alone” lessons if the link is too tenuous. Teachers should refer to the Grammar Outcomes outlined in the new English curriculum.

Guidance notes for the four writing purposes in KS1 & 2

We learn to master writing to;

–        entertain

–        inform

–        persuade

–        discuss

For details about the specific knowledge and skills taught and expected outcomes please see our whole school Curriculum Plan on main Curriculum Page as a link at the bottom. For each writing purpose this will exemplify for each Key Stage:

•       Text types covered
•       Text Features
•       Grammar
•       Sentence Structure
•       Punctuation Content

Handwriting

Handwriting practice begins in Reception through mark making and continues throughout the year groups to Year Six following the Cursive Treasure House Scheme.  Children in Year Two begin exploring and using a cursive and joined up approach. (For full details see separate Handwriting and Presentation Policy)

Spelling

Spelling is taught through phonic time in Key Stage One and can be taught during other lessons if appropriate with the focus being on the first 300 high frequency words. This work is supported by homework; however all Year groups are taught the Year group appropriate spelling from the National Curriculum 2014 lists. In Year 2-6 the No Nonsense Spelling Programme is used and weekly sessions taught with key age related spelling pattern focus. All year groups send weekly spellings to be learnt following the No Nonsense Programme or phonics sessions appropriate to their age and stage. The sheets use the “Look, cover, write approach.”

Reading

In terms of reading, we want children to be able to:

Enjoy reading and see it as a pleasurable leisure activity, as well as a means of following instructions and finding things out.

Have the reading skills necessary to read a range of text types for pleasure and for information.

Comprehension

We value reading as a crucial life skill. By the time children leave us, they read confidently for meaning and regularly enjoy reading for pleasure. Our readers are equipped with the tools to tackle unfamiliar vocabulary. We encourage our children to see themselves as readers for both pleasure and purpose.

Because we believe teaching every child to read is so important, we have a Reading Leader who drives the early reading programme in our school. This person is highly skilled at teaching phonics and reading, and they monitor and support our reading team, so everyone teaches with fidelity to the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme.

Shared Reading happens through the main part of the teaching session.

Fluency Practice Fluency practice is part of our phonics scheme and planned into our Reading practice sessions in Key Stage 1 and is taught explicitly in Key Stage 2 weekly.

Guided Reading/Reciprocal begins in Reception and continues throughout the year groups to Year 6.  It is completed throughout the week outside of the normal English lesson with selected ability groups.

Guided/Shared/Fluency/Reciprocal Reading- Each week from Year 2 children must have three reading sessions taught which are recorded in their Reading Journal books. In addition, reading can be taught within other sessions or as explicit guided sessions within other areas of the curriculum, teachers plan for the needs of their class.

Reading at Home

We know how important it is for teachers and parents to work together to give your child the best start. Reading together at home is one of the easiest but most important ways in which you can help your child. As you share books you are helping improve your child’s reading skills and also showing them how important and enjoyable reading is.

You can also access your child’s class page each term to discover more about what they are learning via the knowledge organiser that outlines learning.

Access the Parent Pocket Guides section in which you will find guides for; Handwriting, Phonics, Writing, Spelling and Reading.

Information and useful resources for parents: https://www.littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk/resources/for-parents/