English at Yanwath

EYFS

English is taught in small steps in reception using ‘drawing club’ as a technique to support children to access the writing curriculum. These steps are moved fluidly throughout the year through assessment to match the needs of the children.

Step 1) Base-line assessments.

Step 2) Mark making for meaning.

Step 3) Initial sounds

Step 4) CVC words

Step 5) Labels and captions

Step 6) Simple Sentences and captions using CVC words.

KS1/ KS2

English is taught as a discrete subject through a genre-based focus, using short texts to support learning. Below is the general sequence of an English unit, with each year group adapting this to the needs of their class.

Step 1) Pre-assessment.

With little to no input, children should spend 10-15 minutes completing the Pre-task. Teachers then make informed notes regarding assessment to inform future planning.

Step 2) Reading phase

Exploring the genre. Lessons should include comprehension strategies, opportunities to develop oracy, retelling parts of a key text or texts, getting to know the story or structure; as well as becoming familiar with the genre and the key language and structural features used. Classes use a model text to base the next stage of learning on.

Step 3) Content Phase and Grammar
Working on the key features (language and structural) highlighted as the expected standard within pre-assessment task and cover page. During this phase, teachers will teach the skill needed to master the use of the feature, i.e To use noun phrases. All linked to the text. The children will then use these skills in application tasks as well as in isolation- grammar lessons should have been indicated from the pre-assessment task. When practising these skills KS2 children should practice writing sections of the genre using the specific features they are being taught. For example when learning to write expanded noun phrases, they will gather vocabulary for their character description that they can use in their final piece.

Step 4) Planning and Writing Phase

Planning- plan writing- To plan a __________.

During these lessons, the children should plan what the writing will be about e.g. paragraph one, two ect. The children may also add detail about the different language features they need to add within their writing.

Writing – Shared writing sessions should model creating the genre. The duration of these sessions will depend on the genre, topic and class. Children will draft the text in parts and edit during feedback sessions.

Edit and improve– using purple pen the children will edit and improve their writing using the checklist and feedback to support.

Step 5) Final piece.
A final best piece, where children pull everything together – improving their last draft and publishing it onto their final piece paper . After each final task, teachers will use these to identify areas of strength and next steps, based on each child’s writing ITAF.