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'Big Writing' is an innovative approach to the teaching of the skills of writing. It is highly effective for pupils from Reception to Key Stage 3, and has an immediate impact on writing standards. It provides a clear structure to support children’s writing.
Vocabulary = teach a wide range of ‘wow' words, (ambitious vocabulary, which is age related) We find the children are becoming more ambitious and confident in finding and using new words. Connectives = teach a wide range of words and phrases for connecting thoughts, ideas and sentences. The children are encouraged to use connectives such as: however, even though, as well as etc. Openers = teach a wide range of ways of opening sentences, including sequence words, linking words and phrases and the 3 power openers: connectives, ‘ly' words and ‘ing' words. E.G. Despite getting..., Anxiously I..., Walking home... Punctuation = teach a wide range of punctuation using the Punctuation Pyramid. How is Big Writing delivered?? Big Writing takes place on Fridays throughout the whole school. Here is an example timetable of how a Big Write day is organised. During the VCOP times. Teachers will focus on different text types and structures. This will prepare the pupils in the class for the independent writing session, the Big Write. Work must always be of the children’s best level. During the Big Write, the children are required to work quietly on their own. Concentration for the children is paramount and the classrooms are set up and equipped with quiet music playing in the background. We find Mozart a specially good stimulus. After the Big Write has taken place the children are encouraged to read through their own work and in upper Key Stage 2, the children will also be encouraged to UP-LEVEL their writing and improve it. All the classrooms have learning prompts and displays, which are used during all writing times. The main idea for Big Write is that it makes children aware that it is important to aim high whenever they produce any writing. The writing sessions are timed , and the stimulus is always appropriate, lively and interesting so as to motivate the children. The writing skills the children acquire during the Big Write are extended to all other curriculum areas e.g. history, geography, science. In the classrooms you will find our motto displayed high for all to see. Opinion of Dr. Gunjit Bandesha (School Governor): Observing the kids in participating in the 'Big Write' was fun and inspiring. Yes, they are learning what children have always learnt about writing - but it has been brought together in a structured, focused and interactive way that everyone seemed to enjoy (just ask for a demonstration of the Kung-Fu punctuation!). It was a pleasure and privilege to observe. Keep up the good work everyone! Report from another School Governor: Governors’ visit The Big Write 22.2.08 I was fortunate to be able to see one of the Year 4 classes in action during their Big Write’ session on 22nd February. What really struck me about it was that everyone was involved. interested and drawn in by the teacher during the initial preparation. All the children were encouraged to re-read their stories from last week, picking out any of the ‘wow’ vocabulary words they had used to put up at the front of the class so that the whole class could share (or even steal them) if they wanted to. Whilst looking at the great ‘wow’ vocabulary that the children had used, they were also able to identify which were verbs, adjectives and adverbs. There was also a session during which the class repeated orally the story that they had read the day before which would form the basis of their own writing later on. After break, the classroom was set up for the big write! The blinds were slightly drawn, the overhead lights went off and some background music went on. The class I was in used a storyboard to help them structure their own stories and they all joined in enthusiastically in drawing their beginning, middles and endings before going on to” look at the ‘wow’ vocabulary. openers and punctuation they could use in their stories. After this, the children were left to put pen to paper to construct and write down their own story. This is very different from a "write about...." literacy scenario. The big write sessions bring in lots of different ideas. reinforce the importance of structuring the story and using interesting vocabulary as well as connecting words to create interest, without forgetting the importance and use of the correct punctuation. I would definitely encourage other parents to look at the big write and VCOP so that they can understand what their children are achieving each week and even join in with ideas and suggestions for ‘wow’ vocabulary if they want to! Click below to see our Super Sentences and other work! More will follow.... Year 1 \| Year 3 \| Year 4 \| Year 5 \| Year 6
Information \| Children's Pages \| Visits & Events \| Curriculum \| Staffroom \| Governors Community \| Links \| Guestbook \| School Tour \| Achievements \| This Week \| Home


Information \| Children's Pages \| Visits & Events \| Curriculum \| Staffroom \| Governors Community \| Links \| Guestbook \| School Tour \| Achievements \| This Week \| Home

'Big Writing' is an innovative approach to the teaching of the skills of writing. It is highly effective for pupils from Reception to Key Stage 3, and has an immediate impact on writing standards. It provides a clear structure to support children’s writing.
Vocabulary = teach a wide range of ‘wow' words, (ambitious vocabulary, which is age related) We find the children are becoming more ambitious and confident in finding and using new words. Connectives = teach a wide range of words and phrases for connecting thoughts, ideas and sentences. The children are encouraged to use connectives such as: however, even though, as well as etc. Openers = teach a wide range of ways of opening sentences, including sequence words, linking words and phrases and the 3 power openers: connectives, ‘ly' words and ‘ing' words. E.G. Despite getting..., Anxiously I..., Walking home... Punctuation = teach a wide range of punctuation using the Punctuation Pyramid. How is Big Writing delivered?? Big Writing takes place on Fridays throughout the whole school. Here is an example timetable of how a Big Write day is organised. During the VCOP times. Teachers will focus on different text types and structures. This will prepare the pupils in the class for the independent writing session, the Big Write. Work must always be of the children’s best level. During the Big Write, the children are required to work quietly on their own. Concentration for the children is paramount and the classrooms are set up and equipped with quiet music playing in the background. We find Mozart a specially good stimulus. After the Big Write has taken place the children are encouraged to read through their own work and in upper Key Stage 2, the children will also be encouraged to UP-LEVEL their writing and improve it. All the classrooms have learning prompts and displays, which are used during all writing times. The main idea for Big Write is that it makes children aware that it is important to aim high whenever they produce any writing. The writing sessions are timed , and the stimulus is always appropriate, lively and interesting so as to motivate the children. The writing skills the children acquire during the Big Write are extended to all other curriculum areas e.g. history, geography, science. In the classrooms you will find our motto displayed high for all to see. Opinion of Dr. Gunjit Bandesha (School Governor): Observing the kids in participating in the 'Big Write' was fun and inspiring. Yes, they are learning what children have always learnt about writing - but it has been brought together in a structured, focused and interactive way that everyone seemed to enjoy (just ask for a demonstration of the Kung-Fu punctuation!). It was a pleasure and privilege to observe. Keep up the good work everyone! Report from another School Governor: Governors’ visit The Big Write 22.2.08 I was fortunate to be able to see one of the Year 4 classes in action during their Big Write’ session on 22nd February. What really struck me about it was that everyone was involved. interested and drawn in by the teacher during the initial preparation. All the children were encouraged to re-read their stories from last week, picking out any of the ‘wow’ vocabulary words they had used to put up at the front of the class so that the whole class could share (or even steal them) if they wanted to. Whilst looking at the great ‘wow’ vocabulary that the children had used, they were also able to identify which were verbs, adjectives and adverbs. There was also a session during which the class repeated orally the story that they had read the day before which would form the basis of their own writing later on. After break, the classroom was set up for the big write! The blinds were slightly drawn, the overhead lights went off and some background music went on. The class I was in used a storyboard to help them structure their own stories and they all joined in enthusiastically in drawing their beginning, middles and endings before going on to” look at the ‘wow’ vocabulary. openers and punctuation they could use in their stories. After this, the children were left to put pen to paper to construct and write down their own story. This is very different from a "write about...." literacy scenario. The big write sessions bring in lots of different ideas. reinforce the importance of structuring the story and using interesting vocabulary as well as connecting words to create interest, without forgetting the importance and use of the correct punctuation. I would definitely encourage other parents to look at the big write and VCOP so that they can understand what their children are achieving each week and even join in with ideas and suggestions for ‘wow’ vocabulary if they want to! Click below to see our Super Sentences and other work! More will follow.... Year 1 \| Year 3 \| Year 4 \| Year 5 \| Year 6
Information \| Children's Pages \| Visits & Events \| Curriculum \| Staffroom \| Governors Community \| Links \| Guestbook \| School Tour \| Achievements \| This Week \| Home