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Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

“Writing down ideas fluently depends on effective transcription: that is, on spelling quickly and accurately through knowing the relationship between sounds and letters (phonics) and understanding the morphology (word structure) and orthography (spelling structure) of words. Effective composition involves forming, articulating and communicating ideas, and then organising them coherently for a reader. This requires clarity, awareness of the audience, purpose and context, and an increasingly wide knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. Writing also depends on fluent, legible and, eventually, speedy handwriting.”

Writing Purpose of Study from the 2014 National Curriculum

Spelling

From Early Years to Year 2, following the Twinkl Phonics Scheme, children are taught to progressively spell words phonetically during their phonics lessons and they learn to understand the structure of words. Children also learn how to spell the common exception words where phonetical spelling is not possible. The children are explicitly taught how to spell in phonics and writing lessons and have access to phoneme mats at all times to enable children to become more independent when making grapheme choices or looking for more tricky words to spell.

In Year 1, children are given a list of spellings to take home every week, directly linked to the grapheme of the week and common exception words being covered.

In Key Stage 1, the children are given regular opportunities to take part in dictation enabling them the opportunity to practise their key transcription skills without the added complexity of composing.

From Key Stage Two, the children follow the spelling scheme Spelling Shed from Ed Shed. The children have two lessons a week dedicated to explicitly teaching spellings linked to Ed Shed and one lesson where the children are tested. Spelling work is completed in handwriting books to continue to build on their handwriting skills too.

Throughout the school, children are taught to spell in writing lessons too where the children revisit learning and apply skills they have taught. Feedback and marking refer to spelling helping guide the children to their common errors.

Punctuation and Grammar

Punctuation and grammar are learned throughout the school through our reading, speaking and writing.

Punctuation and grammar are taught both in context within writing lessons and explicitly across the school. In Early Years and Year 1, punctuation and grammar skills are developed during Drawing Club and Curious Quests and the children are given daily opportunities to apply these taught and modelled skills. In addition, the children are taught and practise these skills during daily phonics sessions.

From Year 2, children are taught punctuation and grammar through their writing lessons. Regular revisiting of skills is applied during fun lesson starters and plenaries to help embed knowledge and go over any misconceptions. Teachers then carefully select skills to be specifically taught in step 2 ‘Explore’ of our writing model. These features will be chosen as they will link directly to the text type being covered for that unit of work. The children will learn about the skill, see the skill in action through example texts, practise using the skill within a text type and then have the opportunity to use it independently during the ‘create’ stage.

From Year 1, children carry out additional spelling, punctuation and grammar ‘flexi sessions’ which both revisit skills and help solidify understanding of new content taught. This follows a school scheme. The long term plans can be found below.

In addition, writing assessments are used to provide evidence of skills that the children have not understood and need additional support with. These gaps are then planned into flexi sessions or writing lessons where appropriate, to help eliminate gaps in their learning.

Handwriting

From Early Years to Year 6 the children follow the Twinkl scheme for handwriting.

In EYFS the children start their early handwriting in a variety of ways within their provision. Children take part in fun activities that help develop the strength and coordination that they will need to write well.

From Year 1 onwards, the children embark on more formal explicit handwriting teaching and practise, separate from their writing lessons. These are carried out in handwriting books, following the Twinkl scheme of learning. Within these sessions, children will continue to develop their strength, coordination and posture by carrying out fun warm sessions before commencing their handwriting practise. Of course, regular practise of handwriting happens during writing and phonics sessions too.

Early Years, Year 1 and most of Year 2 learn to write in pure print form (not joined).

From later in Year 2 the children are introduced to joined handwriting using the Twinkl cursive unlooped font (joined) and this is continued throughout the school.

Key Stage 2 continue to teach handwriting explicitly and in addition to writing lessons. Just like KS1, the children have regular practise of their taught handwriting in writing lessons too.

 

Page reviewed on 19/08/24 by GO, JA and KJD