Reading to write and writing to read Our English Curriculum Reading to write and writing to read 1

Reading at home You will be used to reading with your children at home and we would really like this to continue! The children have been given Reading Diaries which they should be bringing home and to school every day. Please could you aim to hear your child read and sign their diary three times a week. Three adult supported reading sessions at home in a week will be rewarded with a sticker.

Reading at School At school the children will sometimes have the opportunity to read to an adult (whether it is a parent helper or a member of staff) during a library session or in class. We are aware that we have some very able and keen readers and we want to foster all children’s interest in reading. Children who are more independent are still monitored even as ‘developing readers.’ Children will have the opportunity to change their reading books each day and it is helpful to have a comment in their diary from an adult to show they have finished and discussed the book.

Library Children will be split into three groups during library sessions. One week children will complete an activity in their Library Journal. Another week some children will have the opportunity to read to their teacher, LSA or a parent helper. On the third week of the cycle children will complete a library focussed activity.

Spelling at Heatherside Junior School Our spelling curriculum has been devised to best meet the children’s needs by giving them skills and strategies to become good spellers! Our teaching focuses on spelling rules and patterns and there is some guidance on this in the handout. Please encourage your children to ‘have a go!’ as we think this is the most important aspect of spelling and confidence building. New curriculum Year 3&4 spelling list.

BIG WRITING Two to three times per half term the children have the opportunity to enjoy a Big Writing session. Each session will begin with some warm up games followed by an interesting stimulus to get the children’s ideas flowing. They then have time to plan. After a five minute break, the children enjoy a calm atmosphere whilst completing their independent writing with a special coloured pen!

Handwriting Following on from the infant school we focus on cursive handwriting. We use specially lined handwriting books to help with size. We use a special cursive font to help children to get used to reading and forming the letters correctly. We encourage the children to use cursive writing in everything they do – even homework! Pen Licences are awarded to those children who have shown that they can confidently and consistently use the cursive style.

"The more that you read, the more things you will know "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." — Dr. Seuss