Writing
Writing is taught using the Talk 4 Writing pedagogy. The three stages of the process imitate, innovate and independent application are followed through in each unit of work. Fiction and non-fiction units are taught every half term. The core texts, as detailed in the curriculum map, have been planned and approved by the English team to ensure there is progression and challenge across each year, building upon texts learnt in previously. Each fictional text will focus on a specific writing element from the genre specific writing toolkit.
Each year group study a range of fiction genres each year. The curriculum is mapped to ensure that each genre is covered across the year groups. Additionally, each year the children will complete a poetry unit focusing on different styles of poetry.
In EYFS, they also follow the same Talk 4 Writing pedagogy with a clearer focus on children ‘imitating’ and internalising the text, slowly building up to more independent writing. In both Nursery and Reception, non-fiction and fiction text types are covered. Traditional tales provide the starting point for much of the English content.
The fiction text genres are:
- A wishing story
- A defeating the monster story
- A losing story
- A warning story
- A suspense story
- A journey/adventure story
- A rags to riches/change story
- A fantasy/portal story
Each year group covers each of the six genres. In non-fiction writing, the genres have been appropriately planned linking to audience and purpose and show clear progression throughout school.
The non-fiction text genres are:
- Instructions
- Persuasion
- Discussion
- Recount
- Information
- Explanation
Imitate: Children learn each core text using actions and maps to help them internalise the language structure.
Innovate: Once children have internalised the core text they are then able to change aspects of it in order to create their own story using the structures of the original.
Independent Application: Children use what they have learnt to create their own story.
