Intent

Our aim is for all our children to be independent, resilient and confident writers who enjoy the writing process. Through The Literacy Tree Scheme, our lessons are carefully developed around challenging, quality texts. Vocabulary is developed through the whole curriculum and pupils are encouraged and shown how to effectively use interesting and adventurous language in their writing.

Implementation

The Literacy Tree is a complete, book-based scheme. The chosen books help children to grow ideas and expand their minds. The Writing Roots embed complete curriculum coverage and engage children to write with clear audience and purpose. Our teach through the text pedagogy is the backbone of each sequence.

We begin with opportunities for immersion at the beginning of a new genre. This often involves story mapping, drama-based activities and shared writing as a class. Once the children have a good understanding of the taught genre and have had enough time to engage with the model text, we then move on to the innovation stage where the children begin to plan and compose their own examples. The final phase is the invention stage. This is where the children independently write and redraft their piece.  Throughout all writing sessions, appropriate grammar objectives are embedded and analysed. Also see teaching sequence below.

Impact

Assessment in writing is ongoing throughout every lesson. This allows teachers to adapt their planning in order to target pupils for support, as well as ensure that all children are challenged appropriately. Children are given regular opportunities to edit and improve their own writing. Independent writing is moderated regularly as a staff.

TALKING AND ORACY

Children are encouraged to work with children of similar and different levels. This allows them to take a full part in all lessons. They work in pairs so that they:

• answer every question
• practise every activity with their partner
• take turns in reading texts which are challenging and thought provoking
• have the chance to develop skills with different pupils to develop communication skills