1. Beacon Media Supporting Christian schooling worldwide Shared reading and the writing process

2. Shared reading (Grades 1-2) This is when the whole class or a whole group read with the teacher from the one “big book”. It can be a book that you have made with large print. The children have provided the illustrations. Teacher reads while a child is chosen to point. It is a good idea to build up a collection of “big books” and hang them on a string along a wall. The children can select their favourites.

3. Make your own Big Books Make your own classroom books by asking children to draw pictures on a topic of interest, an interesting activity done in class or an excursion. “Our nature walk”; “Making popcorn” Children can then think of a sentence to go with their drawing. Drawings are compiled into a book, big enough to be read at group time.

4. More ideas for Big Books Retelling stories e.g. Bible stories; traditional tales; stories that community members have shared The teacher can help the children sequence the events – what happened first? What happened next? This simplified version of the story can be written on the board, transferred to individual pages for children to illustrate, then stapled together as a book.

5. Writing a text (All Grades) Use writing for creating class reading material. Types of writing: A report, giving the facts about a topic of interest A recount on a personal experience A narrative (a story) A biography (a story about yourself) A procedure (e.g. write steps in how to make something) An argument – trying to persuade someone to agree with your viewpoint A poem; a play

6. The Creative Writing Process (Grades 3 and above)  Collect ideas  Write a plan and use dot points  Write a draft (rough copy)  Editing – check it for grammar, punctuation, spelling, tenses, decide where paragraphs should be  Final copy – neat writing, colour, heading, name

7. Handwriting Watch for: Correct grip of pencil Tall letters formed top to bottom Round letters like ‘o’ and ‘a’ start at 1 o’clock Spaces between words Writing on the line Not too small or large Not rushed