What we do (intent)
At Parkwood, we know the importance of children leaving us with the ability to communicate, to articulate their ideas, and to express themselves. A writing curriculum that develops speaking and listening as well as grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting is fundamental to this. All pupils are given the opportunity to write across a range of genres, for different audiences and purposes, developing their vocabulary and understanding of how grammar and punctuation is applied. Our writing curriculum map outlines this below:
How we do it (implementation)
Our writing curriculum is carefully sequenced from Foundation Stage through to Year 6. This ensures that learning is progressive; knowledge and skills built upon what has come before. Both the knowledge and skills and vocabulary progression documents can be found below:
Writing Vocabulary Progression
Writing is taught using a variety of stimuli from picture to poetry, animations and images in order to encourage the children's creativity. In Foundation Stage, children are given the opportunity to orally compose sentences inspired by the books that are read to them before they are asked to write sentences of their own. In each unit of writing from Year 1 to Year 6, children have the opportunity to:
As a result of this, children learn to appreciate why grammar and punctuation is relevant. We know the importance of spoken language must not underestimated - if we can't speak it, we can't write it. Therefore, units of writing provide opportunities for oral rehearsal before writing as well as activities to develop speaking and listening skills.
Spelling
In Year 1, spelling is taught through the Read Write Inc. programme. An overview of this can be found below:
Year 1 RWI Spelling Curriculum
From Year 2 onwards, spelling is taught using the Spelling Shed scheme. Spelling homework is set each week through the Spelling Shed app to give children the chance to practise taught spelling rules at home. Information for parents about Spelling Shed as well as the QR code for the Spelling Shed website can be found below:
Year group overviews can be accessed here:
Year 6 Spelling Overview
Please note, teachers may change the order of learning outlined in the overviews dependent upon the needs of their class.
Handwriting
In Foundation Stage, Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle is used to develop the fine muscle control they need for writing by incorporating dance, music and large movements. They learn a new gross motor movement to a piece of music while holding 'flipper flappers' (bits of fabric) while dancing along to the music. The children then transfer these movements to floor level and swap their flappers for writing tools (crayons, pens, etc.) to make marks. In separate handwriting lessons children are taught letter formation. In Years 1 to 6, with joining gradually being introduced. Further information about how to support your child with handwriting and how they are taught to form letters can be found below:
https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/english/primary-handwriting/