Literacy

What do we do in Literacy?

Aims

We believe that English is a vital way of communicating. English enables children to express themselves creatively and imaginatively and to communicate effectively with others.

English offers children many opportunities to:

•  develop a positive attitude to speaking and listening
•  use language confidently in a range of contexts adapting how and what is said to suit the purpose and audience
•  participate in conversation, listening to others and responding appropriately, thinking about what has been said and the language used
•  become aware of the characteristics of standard spoken English and understand that language varies through dialect and purpose
•  develop an enthusiasm and love of reading for life
•  to read a wide range of texts
•  use speaking and listening, reading and writing as essential tools in developing thinking
•  write for a real purpose, so that it is interesting and enjoyable
•  write in a range of genres in fiction and poetry
•  develop an understanding of how narratives are structured through basic literacy ideas of setting, character and plot
•  write in a range of non-fiction genres structuring the text in a style suited to its purpose
•  use grammar and punctuation accurately
•  develop their phonic knowledge and understanding of spelling conventions and use them to read and spell accurately
•  develop a fluent, neat and joined handwriting style as early as possible.

Structure

English is taught daily in all of our classes. The school uses the Foundation Stage Curriculum, National Curriculum and the Primary Framework for literacy as the basis of its curriculum planning. English underpins the whole curriculum as children are both using and reinforcing their skills of speaking and listening, reading and writing in every area of the curriculum. 

The Foundation Stage

Children entering school in reception will have already had a wide range of experiences in literacy and we value and build upon these individual experiences using role play, writing areas, the outdoor area and book corners to develop these skills. The Early learning goals for Communication, Language and Literacy underpins all work in this area. Emphasis is on teaching Literacy through stories and big books, child initiated learning through play, with some adult intervention, demonstration and use of the language. 

Spelling

At Key Stage 1 we use the Letters and Sounds programme which is a focused teaching strategy that teaches children how the alphabet works for reading and spelling.

Letters and Sounds are taught through 6 phases.

• Phase 1 supports the development of speaking and listening.
• Phase 2-5 is a systematic approach to phonics teaching and word recognition skills
• Phase 6- focuses on word- specific spellings and the rules for spelling alternatives.

Letters and Sounds are taught as a short discrete session each day. Each lesson follows the structure of review, teach, practise and apply.

Reception children focus on the teaching of Phases 1-3

Year 1 - Phases 3-5

Year 2/3 - Phases 4-6 5-6 as appropriate

Reading

We provide the children with a variety of reading experiences which leads to confident readers. We update our stock of school library books on a termly basis so there is always something new to excite the children. Whole school shared reading takes place once a week so that older children are able to support those who are younger or less secure. Every child has the opportunity to borrow books from the school library to read at home. We encourage all parents, irrespective of the age of their child, to listen to them read aloud on a daily basis. Each child also participates in Guided Reading several times a week when they work with a member of staff and their peers to study a book in depth.

Writing

We draw on writing from well-known authors to introduce children to a whole range of writing genres. They plan and write fictional texts such as imaginative stories, descriptive pieces, poems and letters as well as non-fiction texts such as reports, arguments, instructions, recounts and explanations, to name but a few. Grammar, spelling and punctuation are taught as an integral part of their writing. Children are given opportunities to write for a real purpose wherever possible and regularly contribute to the Parish Magazines of Bentley, Binsted and Kingsley.

Presentation

Neat presentation and handwriting skills are important to us. We have a ‘Handwriting of the Week’ award which is celebrated in assembly. Each week the work of a child from each class is celebrated and placed on display in the library in a special frame. 

Speaking and listening

It is crucial that our children can speak and listen well in order to learn effectively and interact with others in social situations. We encourage children to have a voice yet listen carefully, take their turn and speak confidently and clearly. Drama and role-play have a key role in this and children also have the opportunity to take part in discussions such as school council, class focus assemblies and school performances.

Visitors to school

Drama groups visit and perform to the whole school community. Visitors from the library service entertain the children in assemblies and introduce them to new authors. Local authors have visited and worked on projects with the children. We have a lunchtime book club run by one of our parents. A number of parents kindly donate their time to hear children read aloud.