English
At Iceni, we use the Talk4Writing programme to direct our teaching of writing in year 3 and 4. Talk4Writing supports the learning through repetitive narrative structures, age appropriate grammar and spelling patterns which link to the year groups uniquely shaped and planned Connected Curriculum. This is learnt through creative, enriching and fulfilling lessons, which centre around 3 stages. These are ‘imitate’, ‘innovate’ and ‘invent.
Years 5 and 6 follow a similar writing sequence with a focus on the genres features and high standard of vocabulary and composition. This exposes all children to a greater level of writing expected in their year group, allowing them the chance to see written devices in action. These features and devices are unpicked and discussed in equally creative, enriching and purposeful lessons which align with stages 2 and 3 of the Talk4Writing approach.
The 3 stages are detailed below in greater depth.
Throughout these 3 stages, our aim is to make sure that all children enjoy writing and find the process enjoyable, read a wide range of good quality writing and understand what makes it good and become aware of the key features of the genres and text types that they are being introduced to. The overall process allows them to draw from the models given to them in their ‘shared text’ and create a bank of words, story patterns and sentence types that they can use to develop their own ideas and writing.
The Three Stages
Stage 1: Imitation
Children complete a 'Cold Write' to allow the teacher a greater understanding of children's prior understanding and misconceptions. Teachers use this piece of writing to prompt planning for the remainder of the unit to support children most effectively and promote excellent outcomes which are specific to the children.
Children then learn a text which is supplied by the teachers. This text is written to a high but age appropriate standard- modelling various genre specific structural and grammatical features, relevant spelling patterns and writing devices.
Stage 2: Innovation
Children adapt the model text and create a shared text piece. This gives the children an opportunity to use the writing features identified in Stage 1, with the safety of working as a class. This will be in the form of a Warm Write.
Stage 3: Invention
By this stage, children have built a strong vocabulary bank which they then apply the skills they have acted and learnt fluently over the previous weeks. This will be in the form of a Hot Write and children will have complete ownership over their texts at this point.