Talk for Writing

At Hannah Ball Academy, English is a key priority.  Pupils are taught to read, write, spell and use their phonics.  

The aims at Hannah Ball are to teach:

• Oracy/Speaking and Listening
• Reading
• Writing 
• Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation 

The overarching aim for English in the national curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

The Talk for Writing process includes three main stages, usually taught over three weeks:

HAVE A GO TASK!

We begin the teaching and learning process with a ‘cold’ writing task. This means the children have a go at writing in the text type they will learn about. Teachers use this piece of writing to identify strengths and aspects of writing that need further development. This informs teachers' planning.

 IMITATION

Let’s imitate!

 A text is introduced and read to the children; together the class learn to tell the story. To help the children remember, a multisensory approach is used:

• a visual story map
• actions
• using animated and lively expression

As the children learn the stories word for word, they develop the use of specific sentence structures and language patterns that suit the text type.

The principle is that if a child can tell a story, they will be able to write a story.

During this first stage, we also use a range of drama games to develop an understanding of the story and begin to build up a washing line in our classroom with posters reminding children of the learning journey so far.

The children explore different ways they could change aspects of the original text. For example, changing characters, setting or writing from a different point of view. They then make changes to their story map and orally tell this new story.

 

INNOVATION

Let’s innovate!

Through shared and guided writing, the children write this new version in manageable sections. During this week, we teach spelling and grammar in the context of the story.

This stage is very supportive, so children gain confidence and know what they need to do in order to get better.

INVENTION

LET'S INVENT!

Show what you know!

In this final stage, the children use all the skills they have learnt so far to write an independent ‘hot’ piece. 

There is freedom to draw upon their own ideas, or they can ‘hug closely’ to the original shared text should they need to. Teachers use this task to assess how much progress the children have made.

The children present their work by either publishing, presenting or reading out loud to peers to celebrate their successes.

For more information about Talk for Writing, click https://www.talk4writing.com/