Writing in Primary 1.

Aims of the workshop To give you…. an insight into how we teach writing at Livingston Village. ideas to support and encourage your child's writing at home.

Why do we write? For pleasure and enjoyment For communication e.g. s, text messages. Reminders, notes, recipes, shopping lists, cheques, forms, postcards Letter to santa!!

0 Emergent writing How does writing develop? 0 Early shapes

Writing begins with mark making.

How does writing develop? 0 Using recognisable letters Using recognisable words

How does writing develop?

Early Writing When writing, young children: often repeat patterns e.g. use the letters in their name. see what it looks like backwards. list everything they can remember. try out novel combinations. imitate observed patterns.

HOW WE HELP IN SCHOOL Allow free play with writing material Teach letter sounds and shapes and practise building words Provide opportunities to practise letter formation Provide pre-written text Scribe for children or encourage them to write initial letter, odd words and eventually whole story Teach word patterns e.g. all words contain a vowel, rhyming words bat, sat, cat etc…...

How do we go about it? Letter shapes and sounds - word building Flashcards Magnetic letters Action rhymes Handwriting practice Homework tasks.

How do we go about it? Creative writing - personal, imaginative, functional Introduce subject Child provides text and teacher scribes Child copies scribed text Child finishes sentence (emergent writing) Child writes story independently

What about spelling and grammar?

VCOP VCOP stands for Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Make it real. Make it fun. Homework – Ensure correct formation Encourage mark making Encourage language development orally at home. Model writing messages, lists, labels, instructions, letters and stories.