Handwriting
At Queen Boudica, we follow the Kinetic Letters scheme for handwriting. This is an evidence-informed programme that builds the cognitive and physical skills children need to be able to write confidently. The scheme aims to build handwriting automaticity so all the attention of the brain can be on the writing content.
Children are taught to hold strong writing positions and practise physical activities to develop both their gross and fine motor skills.
They learn rhymes to demonstrate the correct pencil hold and to warm-up their fingers ready for writing, which in turn should lead for a comfortable and efficient writing grip.
Through simple songs and engaging stories, children are taught the letter families and how to form each letter. Once ready, they then begin to join letters and finally increase the speed of their recording while maintaining neat and legible handwriting.
Writing - The Literary Curriculum
Our English writing curriculum is centred around high-quality children's literature.
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The English national curriculum (2014) states that:
‘The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.’
We believe the exposure of children’s literature within the primary school setting is vital as a rich context for learning; not only within English as a subject but to support building a reading culture throughout the school.
By placing books at the core, we are allowing teachers to use the text as the context for the requirements of the national curriculum. We will always aim for our writing opportunities to be meaningful; whether short or long and that the audience is clear. Books offer this opportunity: our final aim would be that that children have real reasons to write, whether to explain, persuade, inform or instruct and that where possible, this can be embedded within text or linked to a curriculum area.
Writing in role using a range of genres is key to our approach as is writing a critique of the text and making comparisons – all writing skills that will support children in preparation for their time in secondary school. This sits comfortably alongside the following statement from the English national curriculum: ‘The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences.’
Our book-based planning sequences are detailed lesson plans that last for between ten and twenty sessions. They have been written using a wide range of literature we love that will engage children to be critical readers whilst becoming confident and informed writers. All National Curriculum requirements are embedded, making the grammar purposeful and there are always a mixture of shorter, longer and extended writing outcomes where the audience and purpose is clear and exciting for children!