Literacy
Literacy is taught not only thorough specific lessons, but is also a huge part of the culture of the school.
‘Literacy’ covers the teaching of reading, writing and speaking.
It is taught not only thorough specific lessons, but is also a huge part of the culture of the school. There are regular reading, handwriting, spelling, punctuation and grammar lessons. The creative curriculum ensures that all knowledge and skills can then be applied with purpose and enjoyment.
Reading
Our Aim is to create a passionate reading community.
International evidence demonstrates children who choose to read will have increased attainment in literacy and numeracy (e.g. Anderson et al., 1988; OECD, 2010; Sullivan & Brown, 2013), improved general knowledge (e.g. Clark and Rumbold, 2006), richer vocabulary (e.g. Sullivan & Brown, 2013) supports identity explorations (e.g. Rothbauer, 2004) and encourages imagination, empathy and mindfulness of others (e.g.Kidd & Costano, 2013)
With this in mind, at Queensbridge we aim to create the will alongside the skill. To access texts and learn about the wider world, children are initially taught Phonics and also have daily opportunities (Daily Supported Reading) to read and discuss engaging stories, at their learning level. Specialised 1-1 literacy intervention (Reading Recovery) is provided in Year 1 to support the lowest twenty percent of readers.
To ensure the children continue to build the will and strengthen the skill as they progress through the school, close links are made between dialogic talk and reading. This builds children’s vocabulary and helps them to develop the skills needed to deepen their thinking and understanding (SPAiCE). Core texts and ability reading books are provided to support this approach. Children who have difficulty accessing age appropriate books are monitored and given the necessary support.
Parents and Reading
We recommend that parents listen to their children read regularly, as well as reading books to them for enjoyment. Coffee mornings share information on how we teach reading. Book bags are changed regularly.
Please download the following resources to assist you at home with supporting your child to read:
Parents – Reading for Pleasure
Parent’s Bookmark FS and Year 1
Here are some useful videos
How to Help Your Child Understand Their Reading in Y1
How to Help Your Child Understand Their Reading in Y2
How We Teach Children in Y2 to Understand Their Reading
Writing
Overview of Writing at Queensbridge here
At Queensbridge our vision is to equip children with the skills to write fluently and with interesting detail on a variety of genres. We strive to spark imagination which allows our young writers to write with flair and purpose, with an understanding of the different writing structures and techniques across curriculum; coverage that includes non-fiction, narrative and poetry.
We strongly believe that a highly developed vocabulary frees a writer to compose interesting and colourful content, and our writing lessons make a point of celebrating word choices and developing children’s vocabulary. The children are taught transcription skills that allow them to present the best of their writing, with spelling, punctuation and editing an important part of their weekly writing routine. We want our children to think like writers, and to know that good writing is a process that starts with imagination and determination.
Our writing curriculum is composed of three main areas: Composition, Transcription and Analysis and Presentation. Children in Years 1-6 are taught within these skillsets, making progression each year through three milestones, each year deepening their understanding of the wider process of writing.
Speaking and listening
There is a huge emphasis on speaking and listening from an early age, encouraging children to ‘play’ with language and to be able to articulate their thoughts. We begin early, with the use of rhymes and songs to develop understanding and to experiment with speech patterns. Children are then encouraged to develop their speaking and listening skills around all areas of the curriculum; to discuss what they are learning and develop their confidence, mastery and enjoyment of language through performances, debating and public speaking. Children are also taught specific Learning Behaviours to support talk for learning
Vocabulary
At Queensbridge we equip our pupils with a large and rich vocabulary across the curriculum through explicit modelling in writing, reading and orally. Teaching vocabulary is based around the ideas of Isabel Beck’s “Bringing Words to Life”
Vocabulary at Queensbridge here
“Reading for pleasure is the single most important indicator of a child’s future success” Oecd 2002
“You can make anything by writing” – C.S Lewis
