Writing
The writing curriculum has three areas:
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Composition (articulating ideas and structuring them through speech and writing).
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Grammar, punctuation and vocabulary
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Transcription (spelling and handwriting)
At Nonsuch, we develop all these areas through our learning, with an aim to develop independent writers who are able to articulate their own ideas. We want our children to be the best writers that they can be with a high command of the written word. We give the children plenty of opportunities to write and support our children to develop transferable knowledge which they can use across the wider curriculum, throughout their lives and in the next stage of their education.
We map out the purposes for writing across the year groups to ensure a progression of knowledge and skills. We ensure that children are confident in the writing process: to draft, edit and ‘publish’ a final copy of their writing. We allow children time to improve their writing based on feedback from their teachers and peers.
The school believes that the children need the fundamental skills of spelling, handwriting and grammar to underpin this process. This allows our children to increase knowledge, embed their skills and therefore deepen their understanding.
Talk for Writing strategies have been fully embedded in Reception and Year 1 and the strategies are used across the rest of the school to support the children in becoming confident writers.
Click on the links below for further information:
Writing for a Purpose Curriculum Maps:
- Reception Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 1 Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 2 Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 3 Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 4 Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 5 Purpose for Writing Document
- Year 6 Purpose for Writing Document
Writing Skill Progression Maps:
- Year 1 Skill Progression Heat Map
- Year 2 Skill Progression Heat Map
- Year 3 Skill Progression Heat Map
- Year 4 Skill Progression Heat Map
- Year 5 Skill Progression Heat Map
- Year 6 Skill Progression Heat Map
Poetry Progression Map:
Talk for Writing Whole School Progression:
Writing Assessment Framework:
Spelling
Spelling is taught through phonics in Reception and Year 1. Year 2-6 using Spelling Shed.
Spelling Shed is part of the well known Literacy Shed group and aims to support children with their spellings in a fun and interactive way.
Spelling Shed includes:
- A whole-school spelling scheme, giving 100% coverage of the National Curriculum.
- The ability to create unlimited custom lists and search for others' lists within the platform.
- A tablet and mobile game for students to use to practise spelling.
- An online game, which gives access to our platform on all current desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile devices.
- A teacher hub, which allows management of student records, teachers and classes.
- The ability to set and monitor homework assignments for e.g. weekly spelling lists. (For teachers)
- Whole-class Hive games that allow all pupils to play alongside each other as an addition to and sometimes as an alternative to a weekly spelling test.
There is an app available to download onto phones and iPads. The cost is £2.99 but this is not essential and is not a school requirement as the games are available to plan directly on line.
Children can practice set spelling rules and play ‘Hive’ games to support their learning. Teachers are able to use the program in school and monitor practice and progress when the site is used at home. (in the same way as Times Tables Rock Stars).
Click on the link below for instructions on how to use Spelling Shed
Click on the link below to access Spelling Shed
https://www.edshed.com/en-gb/login?return_url=https%3A%2F%2Fplay.edshed.com
Handwriting
- At Nonsuch, our handwriting sessions follow the guidance of the National Curriculum alongside the delivery of the Cambridge PenPal Handwriting Scheme. Our overall aim is that:
All children develop a fluent and legible style of handwriting.
How to help your child with handwriting at home.
In order for your child to develop a fluent style of handwriting it is essential that they practise little and often. Please use the following document to help your child learn the formation of each letter in line with the PenPals handwriting scheme.
