Writing

Genre focus area: recount writing and character description 

Recount writing focuses on writing about a key event in sequential order, whilst using language that allows the reader to know how they feel. Character description focuses on the use of interesting language that builds a picture in the reader's head. 

Surface features are continually focussed on throughout the year. These include:
- Writing letters in the correct formation and size.
- Knowing where to use capital letters. 
- Punctuating sentences accurately using fullstops. This then moves onto using commas, speech marks, exclamation marks, and question marks.

Oral language

This term children are given the opportunity to share news in a small group and class situation. They are asked to share personal, national or international news. 

Key skills being developed:
- To talk confidently within a group. 
- To take turns in a group situation. 
- To listen to others in a group.
- To ask questions of others speaking. 

Reading

Children are grouped depending on the specific strategies they need to learn in order to be successful readers.

This term children are learning:
- What to do when they get to a word they don't know how to read.
- How to locate information in a text. 
- To use evidence in the text to make predictions. 
- To identify clues in the text that allow them to infer information. 

Handwriting

Progression: Each stage needs to be mastered before moving onto the next. 
- Printing letters the correct size, shape, and formation. 
- Writing using ligatures. 

At home

For children to become successful readers it helps if they are read to, read with (shared reading), and if they read independently whilst being listened to. Children should be reading at least fifteen minutes each night. It will help their understanding if the text is discuss during and after.