Literacy

High Quality Literacy Skills

Language Literacy and Communication

At Pen-y-fai CIW Primary School we want our learners to experience a language rich environment that enables them to become confident, empathetic communicators ready to use their language skills in Wales and the wider world.

We believe through purposeful, diverse and creative opportunities, our learners will unlock the imaginative thinker inside them and use their ever growing knowledge to speak, write, perform and create with confidence.

LLC is given high priority within our school and is taught daily. Everyday a morning lesson within each classroom across the whole school is prioritised for the teaching and learning of LLC. All LLC sessions must begin with a phonics/VCCOP starter followed by group activities (Independent and teacher led). There will always be a group of children working in the teachers bubble. Depending on the year group LSO bubble groups will also be seen.

Reading

In foundation Phase, Read Write Inc Book Bag Books are used as our reading scheme. Reading books are given out weekly that correspond to the group the child is in. In KS2 group reading activities take place weekly.

Bug Club is used throughout the school for pupils to further develop their enjoyment of reading at home and in school.

Library

All pupils have the opportunity to choose a library book from their class library to take home. In Foundation Phase this maybe a picture book that parents could read to the children and further up the school there is a wide range of chapter books and novels to choose from.

Phonics

The Read Write Inc (RWI) scheme is used from Nursery to Year Three. Letter rhymes and speed sounds are taught daily in Nursery. From Reception to Year Three, RWI Speed Sounds sessions take place four times a week Each session will include a variety of teaching methods. RWI letter formation stories are used to support pupils with correct formation.

Big Write

A build-up of activities has taken place prior to the Big Write.
No pressure for weekly big writes, some genres may take longer.
Writing Book
WMG Grid
Set the scene: Scented candles and relaxing music
Provide word banks, dictionaries, wow words, plans etc to enable children to work independently with success.
Brain breaks that provide opportunities to refer to the WMG Grid. (Pupils to share one or two examples)
Plan carefully for early finishers, so that they don’t disturb others.
Think about class incentives e.g. grapes/chocolate Heroes
The class teacher to be actively walking around, prompting and supporting and writing feed forward questions.
Ensure that all pupils have a feed forward comment to respond to, which has allowed them to move forward in their learning.
Take care to ensure that it’s not a copying up in best session.
The expectation is that pupils finish the piece of writing within the time but with a few exceptions

Target Booklets

The target booklets will focus on the mechanics of writing. The things we are always looking for. Children must know their writing target and be able to talk about where in their writing book they have practised this skill. Remind children of targets and ask children to check work for targeted area at the end. E.g. I have used a capital letter, I have used a variety of words for said, I have formed the letter b correctly, I have used speech marks etc. Target booklets should be kept inside the pupils writing booklets and should be included in any book look/monitoring activities. Target booklets are used from Y2 upwards.

Writing books in KS2

The writing books are for Big Writes which could include English, RE, Welsh or Science extended pieces of writing.
You may want to complete extended pieces of Welsh/Science in your afternoon bubble session if you wish e.g. the write up of a science investigation or an extended piece of Welsh writing such as a letter, biography etc. Any other science or Welsh activities would go in your Topic Book.
Any piece of writing which is part of the journey/preparation to the Big Write i.e. activities completed during the literacy morning bubble would go in your Topic Book. These are not final pieces of extended writing that the children have been working towards throughout the week; these are shorter activities to enhance the Big Write.
Your writing books will showcase the standards of writing in your class and show a range of writing across the curriculum throughout the year.
Our Marking Policy clearly states that there must be a WMG Grid and a prompt question for every piece of writing. This part of the policy must be adhered to.
The purpose of the prompt question is to impact on the piece of writing.
Continue to highlight spelling of HF words or topic words to practise by using sp at end of work. Max of 3 (Try not to deface work by correcting every spelling mistake)
There will also be evidence of prompt questions and WMG grids in your topic books.
No Sheets of any kind to be stuck in writing books.

Writing books in FPH

The writing books are for extended pieces of writing completed in the teacher’s bubble.
Your writing books will showcase the standards of writing in your class and show a range of writing across the curriculum throughout the year.
One piece of RE and Welsh writing per half term to be evidenced in the writing books.
Our Marking Policy clearly states that there must be a WMG Grid and a prompt question for every piece of writing. This part of the policy must be adhered to.
The purpose of the prompt question is to impact on the piece of writing.
Continue to highlight spelling of HF words or topic words to practise by using sp at end of work. Max of 3 (Try not to deface work by correcting every spelling mistake)
There will also be evidence of prompt questions and WMG grids in your topic books.
No Sheets of any kind to be stuck in writing books.

Literacy across the curriculum

Learners are actively encouraged to use and apply their Literacy skills across the curriculum. Therefore, during afternoon sessions, when learners are involved in Missions, TAGs and mini-topic related work, pupils are given opportunities to use their skills within other subject areas e.g. designing an exhibit for your WW2 class museum. In Foundation Phase pupils are encouraged to use their literacy skills when accessing missions independently throughout the day.

Drama and oracy activities are carefully planned for to ensure a rich balance of literacy activities across all classes and to enhance final pieces of writing.