Big Writing Adventures and the Welsh Programme of Study for English

Big Writing (see pages 16–27) is an approach used widely in Wales because it works so effectively across the curriculum. Specific information and support for implementing Big Writing in Wales, including materials in the Welsh language, is available from Andrell Education Ltd: www.andrelleducation.co.uk

The fictional Big Writing Agency and the Writing Missions in Big Writing Adventures give children a real purpose and audience for their writing, in line with the aims of the LNF and revised Programme of Study for English. Big Writing Adventures has been designed to develop and secure children’s oral and written communication skills so that they can use them widely and accurately across the curriculum.

Strand 1: OracyIn Big Writing Adventures children develop their ideas, vocabulary and the grammatical structures required for good writing primarily through talk; they are given the skills and confidence to communicate orally for a range of purposes. The lesson notes for every session offer plenty of ideas for speaking, listening, collaboration and discussion through teacher led, group and paired activities; drama and role-play work is included as appropriate. Pupils are given the opportunity to:

Communicate ideas and information Listen and respond to the viewpoints of others Contribute to discussions and presentations Discuss the viewpoints and ideas of others and reach agreement

Strand 3: WritingBig Writing Adventures is designed to develop the full range of writing skills. The carefully planned progression through the programme introduces and revisits key concepts to ensure they are embedded and that children are confident in using them independently.

In every Writing Mission pupils are given the opportunity to:

Record and explore their thoughts, feelings and opinions Communicate with others Express their ideas through the power of language Plan and select writing style, language and structure to suit the audience and purpose

Select, analyse and present information appropriately Improve writing through independent review, editing and redrafting

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Big Writing Adventures and the Welsh Programme of Study for English

Progression and AssessmentThe LNF and revised Programme of Study for English sets out the expectations for Oracy and Writing in each year group, whilst recognizing that not all children progress at the same pace. Big Writing Adventures is underpinned by a carefully planned progression (see pages 34–37) that ensures learning is introduced and revisited throughout the programme.

Use of the Writing Criterion Scale (see pages 25–27) supports a cycle of continuous assessment for learning that allows teachers to identify and respond to children’s needs and to ensure that every child makes progress. The teaching strategies used in Big Writing Adventures are naturally differentiated; specific support for children who are struggling with certain tasks – or who need stretching – is given in the lesson notes where appropriate.

Big Writing Adventures: Correlation to the Welsh Programme of Study for English, Year 3

Mission 1

Mission 2

Mission 3

Mission 4

Mission 5

Oracy: Speaking

Explain information and ideas using relevant vocabulary ✓ ✓ ✓

Organize what they say so that listeners can understand, e.g. emphasizing key points, sequencing an explanation

✓ ✓

Speak clearly varying expression to help listeners ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use language appropriate to more formal situations ✓ ✓

Begin to develop their understanding of when it is appropriate to use Standard English and begin to use formal and informal language*

✓ ✓ ✓

Develop their ability to use a range of syntax structures in terms of vocabulary and terminology in their talk*

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Keep in role and support others in role ✓

Oracy: Collaboration and discussion

Contribute to group discussion, sharing ideas and information

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Express basic opinions about topics and written texts, e.g. discuss topics that are within their scope of experience, discuss a character in a story*

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use talk purposefully to complete a task in a group ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

*These statements now form part of the revised Programme of Study for English, which will become statutory from September 2015

Mission 1

Mission 2

Mission 3

Mission 4

Mission 5

Writing: Organising ideas and information Meaning, purpose, readers

Write for different purposes and readers choosing words for variety and interest

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use the characteristic features of simple continuous and non-continuous texts in their writing, using imagination where appropriate*

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Include relevant details, information or observations in their writing

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Note down ideas to use in writing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Proofread and give an opinion about their own written work and that of others; identify ways to improve and begin to edit*

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Review and improve sections of their work ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Writing: Organising ideas and information Structure and organisation

Use a basic structure for writing ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Write using an introduction to the topic and a conclusion ✓ ✓ ✓

Present processes, events or reports in a clear sequence ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use visual information if relevant, e.g. labelled diagrams ✓ ✓ ✓

Writing Accurately: Language

Use language appropriate to writing, including standard forms of English

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use vocabulary related to the topic or subject context ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use an increasingly imaginative vocabulary* ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Writing Accurately: Grammar and Punctuation

Use nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, connectives and verb tenses in their writing*

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Start sentences in a variety of ways ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use adjectives and adverbs to expand simple sentences and phrases

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use connectives for causation and consequence, e.g. because, after

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use full stops, question marks, exclamation marks and commas for lists

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Use past tense verbs consistently ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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*These statements now form part of the revised Programme of Study for English, which will become statutory from September 2015