How to support your child s writing T H U R S D A Y 2 7 TH A P R I L 2 0 1 7
New Curriculum changes and testing in Year 2 Examples of writing in Year 2 Writing objectives in English a chance for you to check your understanding of different ideas How we teach writing here at Our Lady of the Visitation SPAG time Tips for what to do at home
Changes in the New Curriculum Higher expectations objectives which were previously taught in KS2 some of these are now being taught in KS1. SPAG spelling, punctuation and grammar children need to know the rules and apply them in their writing Fluency and independence Poetry Editing and proofreading These changes are now evident in new testing at the end of each key stage.
WHAT WILL BE ASSESSED BY TESTS? ASSESSMENTS for YEAR 2 in 2017 READING TEST 1 combined reading prompt and answer booklet TEST 2 more challenging separate reading booklet and reading answer booklet All Children sit BOTH tests SPaG TEST 1 - Spelling TEST 2 English, Punctuation, Spelling & Grammar Maths TEST 1 - Arithmetic TEST 2 - Reasoning In 2017 the tests will be marked internally by teachers and, in some cases, the results moderated by Local Authorities.
Children complete writing tasks each week to build up their stamina and evidence of writing. Children are tested in Year 1 and 2 each half term in SPAG, Reading, maths and Writing. Teachers use assessments and children s work in their books to decide their end of year standard.
What part will we all play in developing children s language, grammar and punctuation? EYFS role Develop children's understanding and use of spoken language Introduce children to quality texts being read aloud Get children speaking in sentences This is promoted all day long through conversations, reading, vocabulary displays and by adult role models. KS1 role Introduce the correct terminology Extend children s experience of a wide range of quality texts, fostering an interest in words Word play Writing simple sentences, basic grammar established. This is promoted all day long through guided reading, whole class reading, word lists and displays, through different subjects and with adult support.
Writing Objectives what is a Year 2 child expected to know and use in English Writing? Think about: What are their strengths? What do they still need to develop? Is there anything that you are unsure about? Glossaries are available to use as well. Staff are available to discuss objectives with as well. Look at the example piece of writing. Can you match the objective to some of these areas?
The Writing Process Familiarisation and Talk for Writing show children examples and do lots of Speaking and Listening activities Modelled Writing (Writing for the children) Shared Writing (Writing with the children) Guided Group Writing (Writing with/by the children) or Independent Writing (Writing by the children)
We cover these objectives through a range of topics here at Our Lady of the Visitation. We work through topics on Fiction, Non Fiction and Poetry. We do a COLD WRITE to start a topic then a HOT WRITE at the end of a topic. Children get to use Success Criteria and word lists to help them in their writing. We also cover these different writing genres in a range of other subjects, like RE, Science and Topic.
Cold Write and Hot Write Success Criteria Children proofread and edit work with a purple pen Use of highlighters to show positives and area to develop
Success Criteria and number 1.I can plan my writing, giving careful consideration to its purpose and selecting the appropriate form 1.I can develop cohesion within and across paragraphs 1.I can use presentational devices in my nonnarrative writing, such as headings, bullet points and underlining 1.I can carry out my own research to help develop the content of my writing Self or peer evaluatio n
SPAG TEST TIME Because SPAG is seen as such an important skill, it now has a separate test. Some multiple choice Some short words, phrases or sentences Explanation A separate spelling test Again, use the adults in the room or the glossaries to help you. Talk to each other!
Tips and strategies for supporting children s writing at home Punctuation Pit Stop get children to stop and read their work out loud to check their punctuation. Every 10 15 minutes, stop for a pause. Our brains begin to wander after this time children and adults! Reading out loud is so important! Finding relevant interests using children s interests to motivate them to write. Giving writing a purpose explain why something is being done. Websites Mr Thorne Phonics, BBC Schools
Punctuation Pit Stop
HELPING AT HOME Try not to put pressure on your child. Support with homework that have been discussed at Parent s Evening. Read regularly and discuss a variety of texts not just listening to your child read. Use the different strategies to practise spellings each week. Use the previous test papers only if advised by school as they are used in school as assessment and practise for the children. Let them see you writing shopping lists, emails, perhaps even writing them a letter. Let your children draw and write for fun on their own.
What activities can you do at home? Write messages on post it notes or emails to each other. Encourage them to keep a diary or write letters Regular writing to a relative or close family friend Get them to make scrap books on holiday, write postcards Writing a match report on a match they played in on the weekend. Any writing children do at home, teachers will be more than happy to look at and reward with stickers and raffle tickets. Make it fun get different coloured paper, pens, chalk, let them use the computer.
Research has shown that parents often stop reading with their children regularly at the age of 7. Just 10-15 minutes a day can make a dramatic difference to educational attainment.
WE RECOMMEND: Early nights and lots of sleep Good attendance Good punctuality A good breakfast LOTS OF PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
ESOL classes English as a Second Language We hold these classes here at school on a Tuesday for 10 per half term. This supports parents with English language and understanding different parts of school life.
Websites http://mrthorne.com/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/ http://www.ictgames.com/literacy.html http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/literacy/ Translation websites like Google Translate