Home Farm Primary School

Writing

At Home Farm, we have built a writing curriculum which ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum, develops learning and results in the acquisition of the knowledge and skills that enable children to be ‘effective’ writers. We engage our children in the writing process through a broad range of genres, authors and texts and exciting writing opportunities. Writing tasks are often linked to Power of Reading texts or are cross-curricular to develop and deepen understanding in foundation subjects.  Our writing curriculum is progressive and builds upon previous learning, with regular assessment to ensure each child’s needs are met to reach their full potential.

We have a very clear writing journey and pupils enjoy the process of starting with initial planning ideas then moving through the different stages of the journey to complete a thoroughly revised and edited piece of work. ‘Take One Sentence’ is now firmly embedded and focuses on ensuring pupils have a thorough understanding of what a simple sentence is: once children have acquired this they are able to efficiently extend sentences, apply their knowledge of punctuation and grammar and produce coherent pieces of writing. Pupils complete short-write tasks as well as longer, more detailed pieces of work and they enjoy sharing their work with different audiences.

Handwriting

Correct letter formation is taught in the Early Years through Read, Write, Inc. Cursive is introduced in Year 1. Handwriting in Years 2 to 6 is taught in discrete lessons.

Competency in reading, writing, speaking and listening is encouraged and developed throughout the curriculum in order to enable children to communicate confidently and effectively. English is taught daily, both as a discrete subject and through the foundation subjects.

Reading

Read Write Inc. is a systematic phonics scheme which is introduced from Nursery through to Year 2. 

Read Write Inc. is adapted to suit the needs of the children and taught in groups up to Year 2 by both teachers and support staff.  It is taught as intervention/catch up in year 3. Children are grouped into very similar abilities in reading. Where children are taught in small groups teachers have the overview of all the children in their class and assess the delivery of the sessions. Staff involved in the teaching of Read, Write Inc. receive regular updates and in house training to support the programme. Children move through the scheme as their ability and confidence develops. 

For more information visit:http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/find-out-more/parents

Accelerated Reader

Pupils from Year 1 to Year 6 have access to the computer program Accelerated Reader, through which teachers manage and monitor children's independent reading practice. Pupils select a book to read at their own pace and when they have finished they take a short computer quiz to assess their understanding of the text. At Home Farm we have a well stocked library which enables pupils to select books which are appropriate for their reading level but also interest them and make them want to read. 

The Power of Reading

At Home Farm Primary School we encourage a love of books and reading. We use The Power of Reading, which engages teachers and children in the literacy curriculum via the study of high quality books and very creative teaching.  The Power of Reading teaching sequences provide an approach to teaching the English curriculum which is creative, engaging and develops a love of reading and books.

Guided Reading

In KS2, guided reading lessons are delivered to the whole class. This can involve studying short texts/extracts or whole texts. This approach allows pupils to move faster through texts and benefit from the teacher's explanations, modelling, questioning and feedback. It also enables the integration of topic-related reading, reading as a stimulus for writing and reading a wide variety of genres.

Pupils are taught using the word lists for Years 1,2,3 & 4 and Years 5 & 6 to teach the spelling curriculum alongside the relevant National Curriculum statutory requirements. 

Spellings will be given on Monday and tested the following  Monday. 20 spellings will be sent home weekly. To ensure children have learnt the spelling pattern, there will be a test of 10 words, 7 words from the 20 the children have learnt and 3 new words your children may not have met, which follow the spelling pattern.  This will support your child, as teachers will know if they have fully understood the spelling pattern and be able to plan accordingly.

Homework will be sent home to support the spelling programme which will be predominantly a Look, Cover ,Write, Check activity. Other activities will also sent home which are child friendly.

Children in Year 1 will be given spelling in line with the phonics they are being taught on an individual basis when they are ready to access Spelling Ninja over the course of the autumn term.