Post on 12-Jul-2015
What works well?
Shared thoughts and ideas based on successful writing lessons/units of work in ECAW supported classes(Cluster group meeting-Waltham
Forest schools)
Keeping children motivated
In addition to text related work, the most successful lessons seem to include at least some of the following additional elements. These serve to keep the learner motivated/enhance the learning experience and frequently produce a better quality of written work/learning outcome as a result.
Involve children in
ownership of learning
Link writing to other areas of
curriculum
Provide opportunities to celebrate
success
Use a range of visual stimuli
Keep a sense of
‘wonderment’
Encourage lots of
speaking and listening
Involve children in ownership of learning
• Consult children on learning process• Brainstorm ideas for writing focus -
together/in groups• Provide opportunities to make suggestions e.g
through forums• Use success criteria and involve children in
self/peer assessment
Range of visual stimuli
• Picture books• Videos e.g story
starters, scenes from a film
• Photos• Paintings• Real objects• Powerpoints• Web pages
Sense of ‘wonderment’
• Keep a sense of anticipation by not giving too much away, gradually build up a mood, sense of mystery about task.
• Use props e.g box, magic wand, old photo or a puppet
• Take on a role/use clues, to take children through stages of a learning task
Speaking and listening
• Talk partners, group/collaborative tasks
• Role play, dressing up
• Oral presentations• Shared feedback,
evaluative sessions• Games
Cross-curricular link/integrated curriculum
• Put factual tasks into context through history, geography etc.
e.g. report on the Blitz• Make maps to relate
to story work e.g. imaginary worlds, myths
• Use/compose music to suggest mood of a setting/scene from a play
Opportunity to celebrate success
• Children must be given opportunity to finish
• Have varied learning outcomes, including use of ICT e.g poster, Powerpoint, leaflet, make animation or video, podcast
• Audience i.e. assembly, published book, display, shared on MLE