Writing
Children at Great Wood write for a range of purposes and audiences. English lessons are structured using a ‘read to write’ teaching sequence. Units are centred around high quality, engaging texts and are sequenced to ensure a development of essential skills in transcription and composition. We immerse the children in a language rich environment enabling the children to acquire new vocabulary and language use and provide opportunities to apply new learning to their writing.
Children are taught to articulate and communicate ideas in writing and to organise these ideas coherently for a reader. They are taught how to plan, revise and evaluate, with an awareness of the audience and purpose of each piece of writing.
Spelling Spelling progression
Children at Great Wood participate in regular spelling lessons. In KS1, spelling is taught through phonics sessions initially as the children develop their understanding of the alphabetic code, recognising which letters correspond with which sounds and when these are likely to be used.
Once the children have concluded phonics lessons, spelling is taught through discrete spelling lessons which follow a structured sequence. Children continue to practise and apply the knowledge taught in phonics to spell words but alongside this, they start to explore the role of morphology (word structure), orthography (spelling structure) and etymology (the history of a word).
Handwriting Letter formation patters Supporting pencil grip
At Great Wood we recognise the importance of fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy handwriting. We use the Penpals Handwriting Scheme in regular, discrete handwriting lessons. Children learn to form letters and numbers correctly during EYFS and Year 1 before then starting to learn how to join letters from Year 2 onwards. Great importance is placed upon the presentation of work at Great Wood and children are encouraged to take pride in the presentation of their work. Children can earn ‘pen licence’ in the juniors.