English
Welcome to our English page
Writing:
Our aim at Birkdale Primary is to inspire and provide children with the stimuli and knowledge to be engaging and exciting writers, who show a passion for writing and who are given opportunities to select from a range of grammatical skills, vocabulary and text types to create pieces of writing that match different purposes and appeal to a range of diverse audiences.
When planning writing, we follow the writing curriculum (based on the National Curriculum). There is a link to this below. Units are planned around quality texts. Through these high-quality texts, children are shown how a writer uses his / her craft for different effects. They are given the opportunity to develop and experiment with grammatical structures to create a particular impact upon their reader and they are guided through creating their own written ‘expert’ pieces with an intended audience and purpose.
Pupils are given time to talk through their ideas, plan their writing and to take an increasing responsibility for the editing and proofreading of their own work.
We endeavour to teach pupils to consider these points:
Then pupils practise and apply this in their own writing.
These are the purposes for the writing we teach in each year group:
Early Writing in EYFS and Year 1:
Speaking and Listening:
We also aim to provide our children with a wide range of contexts for speaking and listening throughout the day. Speaking, listening and performing skills are promoted across the curriculum through storytelling, discussion groups, debates, drama and role play. Such opportunities, as well as whole school concerts and shows, provide a valuable means of building confidence and developing the ability to listen to, and appreciate the efforts of others.
Spelling:
- What is Spelling Shed? https://www.spellingshed.com/en-gb/
At Birkdale Primary School, we use Spelling Shed to support children on their spelling journey and they progress through a range of games, levels and challenges. The spelling lists on Spelling Shed are grouped together, helping children to learn and apply different spelling rules effectively.
Every week, teachers set an assignment linked to the pupil’s spelling words, helping them to practise their spellings in a fun and exciting way in preparation for our weekly spelling test. Children can also choose to practise past spellings to consolidate past learning. Children, staff and parents can keep track of achievements through the points and honeypots that are awarded as the children progress.
Pupils from Year 3 (Stage 3) to Year 6 (Stage 6) can access Spelling Shed using their personal logins, which are provided by teachers at the start of the academic year.
In year 2, children will continue their journey following our phonics Little Wandle letters and sounds revised scheme, through a bridging unit. Following this unit, children will progress onto the Little Wandle spelling programme. This is designed to provide a seamless link from year 1 to year 2 and builds on children's knowledge of the alphabetic code and teaching them how to spell with confidence.
Punctuation and Grammar:
To ensure children understand the purpose and importance of grammar and punctuation, we teach it within the context of the text we are teaching and also as a discrete lesson, once a week. We work together to ensure there is progression and challenge across grammar and punctuation throughout the whole school.
Meet our English Ambassador: