Year 2 workshop

What we will look at: Year 2 writing curriculum Spelling Handwriting Transcription Composition What emerging/expected and exceeding writing looks like. What we do to help in school. How to help your child at home.

Year 2 writing opportunities to engage children with writing

Year 2 writing curriculum Spelling Write from memory, simple dictated sentences which include familiar words and GPCs. Spell common decodable two and three syllable words which include familiar graphemes. Spell words using the suffixes –ing, -ed, -er and –est where no change is made to the root word. Spell some common contractions accurately e.g. it’s, can’t, didn’t; or to mark singular possession e.g. Mark’s football. Accurately spell words with suffixes–ment, -ness, -ful, -less, -ly, including those requiring a change to the root word. Spell most common exception words from Y2 spelling appendix e.g. because, every, children, father, would, old. Spell most common homophones in YR 2 spelling appendix e.g. to, too, two; hear, here; see, sea; blue, blew.

Year 2 writing curriculum Holds pencil correctly. Writing is legible. All letters and digits are consistently formed and of the correct size, orientation and relationship to one another. Spacing is appropriate to the size of letters. Use diagonal and horizontal joins between letters. Know which letters are best left unjoined when adjacent to each other.  

Year 2 writing curriculum Know and write a range of sentence types which are grammatically accurate. Statements, questions, exclamations and commands. Identify word classes: noun, adjective, verb and adverb. Co-ordinate sentences using and, or, but. Use subordination e.g. when, if, because. Use adjectives to make noun phrases. Use expanded noun phrases to describe and specify. E.g. the blue butterfly Demarcate most sentences with capital letters and full stops. Use question marks and exclamation marks. Use commas to separate items in a list. Use some varied vocabulary to create detail and interest, with awareness of the reader. Choose the past or present tense, mostly correctly and consistently. Use appropriate features of Standard English. Begin to use the progressive form e.g. she was swimming. Punctuation and grammar

Year 2 writing curriculum Composition (Making writing exciting for the reader) Write about real events, maintaining form and purpose. Compose orally and write poetry in a variety of forms. Proof read for errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation. Evaluate word choice, grammar and punctuation; make revisions. Re-read and check own writing. Link ideas and events. Compose orally and write simple poems. Compose sentences orally. Organise writing for different purposes. E.g. Knowing letter structures, openings and endings, beginning to write in paragraphs. Use the drafting process to gather and write down ideas and key words. Sequence simple sentences to form short narratives based on real or fictional experiences. Write appropriate narratives about personal experiences or those of others, whether real or imagined, maintaining narrative form. Sustain narrative and non-narrative form of writing, (close to a side of A4 at least).

Writing at working towards expected

Expected writing

Writing at greater depth

How we help at school Engaging stories and non-fiction texts Providing opportunities to talk - e.g. role play, drama, debates Spelling games Activities to increase hand strength – craft, cutting skills, lego, play dough, Knex Sound mats and writing guides Praise!

How you can help at home Encourage your child to write for different purposes. Exchange Post-it notes with your child. Put the notes on pillowcases or lunch boxes or any surprise location! Help your child assemble photo albums of family events and write captions. Ask children to put their wishes and wants into writing and suggest how they may work toward or contribute to getting what they want. Continuing to read with your child. Share longer stories and discuss events, characters and settings.

How you can help at home Help your child write emails to send to family members near and far. Write postcards to themselves when they are away from home. Make writing practical and useful by having children write grocery and task lists; reminders and phone messages; instructions for caring for pets; or directions for getting to the park. Encourage your child to keep a diary – especially on holidays as they make lovely mementoes. Suggest note-taking on trips or outings. Use games to help increase your child’s vocabulary Try crossword puzzles, word games, anagrams... Encourage your child to write to relatives and friends (or maybe a pen-pal).