Our approach

 

In Year 5, we approach the teaching of literacy through using high quality books and creative teaching approaches (such as art and drama). This approach aims to engage and motivate children in their literacy learning. It also enables children to deepen their understanding of texts whilst providing a meaningful context for writing.

 

A quality text will be used as the basis for learning over several weeks. Children will explore and discuss the text through creative activities and will write in a range of genres. For example, they might write a letter in role as a character or write a newspaper recount about the events in the text.

 

Sequence of lessons

 

We have a clear route from the beginning to the end of a unit of work that the children in Year 5 enjoy. When starting a new text, we begin with a 'cold' write. This is where children can show us the skills that they are already aware of with regards to writing for a specific purpose or maintaining the features of a given genre. Over the coming weeks, lessons are planned to encourage the development of their writing by the introduction of new skills or assisting their ability to write in a more purposeful manner. On completion of a unit of work, the children then complete a 'hot' write where they try to incorporate all of their new learning. Comparing the 'cold' write to the 'hot' write leaves the children feeling amazed at their progress over such a short period of time.