Writing

Our intent at Gulval School in Writing is

We want children to write clearly, accurately, coherently and creatively adapting their language and style for a range of meaningful contexts purposes and audiences. We want children to take pride in everything they write and present their work to their highest possible standard.

We want to engage children in the Talk for Writing approach through exciting hooks; encouraging them to draw on what they know to write imaginatively. We want children to become confident, passionate writers who are challenged and encouraged to take risks, viewing mistakes as editing, a positive part of the learning process.

Through effective collaboration, we want children to learn and enjoy telling stories, expanding their vocabulary ready to innovate, invent and write their own. We want children to be aware of the desired effect on the readers’ thoughts and feelings before celebrating and sharing their writing with others; especially our younger writers.

We want children to have real purpose and audience for their writing so they see themselves as authors, able to apply their writing skills to a range of different contexts.

We want children to be confident in applying the skills they learn through Phonics and reading into their writing. As early writing skills are mastered, children are encouraged to edit their own work making improvements so that the final piece is the best it can be.

Intent, Implementation, Impact

Talk for writing

Writing is taught using the Talk for Writing, storytelling approach. Talk for Writing is an engaging teaching framework developed by Pie Corbett. It is powerful because it is based on the principles of how children learn. Firstly children imitate the text exploring, reading and analysing the language and vocabulary before innovating a text. Finally children will use the invention stage to create their own text.

Spelling

Spelling practice is directly linked to the learning of the 40+ sounds in the early years and then when children have mastered these, they use the Spelling Shed scheme to learn and practise the spelling patterns appropriate for their year group. Spellings are taught in school as part of spelling sessions, embedded within writing. In addition you can support your child at home by helping them practice their spellings on their weekly homework sheet or by using the Spelling Shed app. Spelling Shed

Grammar

The requirements of the National Curriculum for grammar are embedded within the talk for writing texts we use. This promotes the development of the fundamentals of punctuation and grammar. Subsequently children are taught specific grammatical patterns within grammar lessons and they practise these in their writing. In addition, children can access specific activities set by their class teacher at SPAG.com.

Handwriting

Handwriting is taught as a specific skill, little and often. It is taught progressively and in-line with the requirements of the National Curriculum. Firstly we teach handwriting (letter formation) by linking closely with the Read Write Inc. scheme in daily phonics sessions. In KS1 children are introduced to a simple joined handwriting style which is not made complicated by unnecessary loops or swirls. In KS2, children will practise and embed these  joins and learn to write legibly, fluently and with increasing speed.

Fantastic stories!

In English, Year 1 have been creating their own stories, carefully thinking about their characters, setting and a problem for their adventure. The children first shared their ideas on whiteboards before creating story maps to help organise their…

Emerald vs the monster! 

Emerald have been impressing us with their growing confidence in using speech in writing, learning a defeat a Monster tale and exploring how dialogue moves a story forward. They’ve been creating their own versions, adding crucial actions and…

Three little pigs 

Ruby class have been retelling the story of The Three Little Pigs. We worked together to build the pigs’ houses using straw, sticks and bricks, carefully choosing our materials. The Big Bad Wolf then came along to see if he could blow the…

Wonderful writing!

This half term, Citrine Class have thoroughly enjoyed learning the story of Hansel and Gretel. We even made our own cottages using a variety of sweet treats! We were very impressed by the wonderful stories the children re‑told. After that,…

Stepping Into the World of Beowulf

Diamond Class launched into our new English writing unit with an unforgettable drama exploration of Beowulf, our key text for the term. To step into the story, we travelled back to Anglo‑Saxon Britain, taking on the roles of fearless warriors…

Consider yourself warned!

Amethyst Class have been working incredibly hard in their writing lessons and we are so proud of the creativity and focus they have shown. This term, the children have been inventing their own warning tales, carefully thinking about how to build…

Drawing club 

In Ruby Class, we have been exploring the story The Enormous Turnip through our writing. The children have been working hard to describe the setting and bring the characters to life using rich vocabulary.

Letters, Legends and Learning!

This term, Sapphire Class have been busy sharpening their English skills through writing informal letters. We explored a famous letter from Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, spotting features that make informal writing engaging and personal.…

The Magic Porridge Pot!

Citrine class have been fantastic story tellers and writers this half term! They have immersed themselves into learning the actions and words to 'The Magic Porridge Pot' story. They started with having their very own magic porridge pot in the…

Once upon a wish… Next, do this!

We have loved getting creative with our writing this half term. From diving into a wishing tale about a magic shell to learning how to be bossy with fun instructions making. Sharing all our creative inventions with our class team, we are so…

Poetry in motion- inspired by the Wild

In year 5, we explored the rich, descriptive language of Red Fox by Robert MacFarland, using it as an inspiration for our own poetry. The children then brought their words to life through stunning artwork-each piece full of creativity and imagination.…

Terrific Troll Tales!

In Year 3, students have delved into the mysterious world of trolls through two exciting writing projects. First, they crafted non-chronological reports. Then, inspired by their research, they wrote imaginative journey stories, taking readers…

Amazing writers!

This week, Ruby Class have been sequencing the story of The Gingerbread Man. We used a story mountain to map out the beginning, middle, and end of the tale. We've also been working on using adjectives to help us when we write the full story…

Our beanstalk adventure!

After the thrilling tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, Citrine Class leapt into action- planting our very own “magic” beans and watching them rocket skyward! Before long, our classroom was buzzing as those emerald vines spiralled into the clouds,…

Amazing writers!

Topaz Class have been learning all about recounts and their key features. We started off learning the text Antarctic Adventures and exploring it's key features. We learnt all about the importance of adding detail by using adverbs, expnade noun…

Cluck, Edit, Reflect: Amethyst Class Takes Writing to the Chickens

In Amethyst class, we’re taking a unique approach to becoming more reflective in our editing process. To improve our writing and boost our confidence, we recently took our work outside and read it aloud to the chickens! This fun and engaging…

Drawing Club

Over the last term in Ruby class, we’ve had lots of fun in drawing club! We’ve been using lots of exciting adjectives to describe characters and settings. Everyone has been working hard to write fantastic sentences too.

Inspiring writers

In English,  Citrine class have been using images to inspire their writing. After rehearsing a sentence together, children have written many more of their own, using a variety of adjectives and descriptive phrases. All of this, is the foundation…

Enigmatic English: informal letters

This term, we have been creating informal letters. We learnt how the text was written using our Lord of the Rings story map, learned about the features of an informal letter, wrote Tweets from our main character and learnt how to build upon…

Storytelling ‘The Selfish Giant’

In Emerald Class we have been learning the warning tale of 'The Selfish Giant'. For our 'hook' lesson we all learnt how to draw ourselves as a giant! The pupils have been enjoying learning the story and thinking of their own ideas for warning…

ABRACADABRA!

Topaz Class have loved learning their instruction text 'How to make a magic potion'. We've written some of our own fantastic instructions for potions too. Be careful we may turn you into a frog!

Beware…don’t drink the potions!

Watch this space... Topaz class have been learning an instruction text of  how to make a magic potion. Be careful that they don't turn you into a frog!
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