At Fulbourn Primary School we believe that spoken language underpins writing and oracy is therefore at the heart of our curriculum    

Opportunities for talk develop children’s thinking and our dialogic approach to learning across the curriculum provides opportunities for children to discuss, elaborate and explain their ideas and understanding, make presentations, demonstrate to others and participate in debate. Through regular opportunities for discussion and reflection e.g. Candle Time, assemblies, Whole Class Reading sessions and more, children develop their spoken language skills and also learn to be active, compassionate listeners. We consider that writing is ‘the child’s voice on paper’.

We aim to develop:

• Confident and creative writers who are ready to use the written word in fresh and creative ways, take risks and experiment.
• Writers with purpose and a repertoire that reflects how our society communicates.
• Reflective writers with the skills to explore, discuss and appraise the written word.
• Curious writers who seek to expand their vocabulary across our whole curriculum.
• Artists who craft a clear and fluent handwriting that increasingly shows individuality and pride.
• Courageous spellers who approach patterns, rules and exceptions together, as explorers discovering new lands.

Cross-curricular learning and real-world contexts

The school has adopted a Talk for Writing approach, and wherever appropriate a cross-curricular approach will be taken to the teaching of writing. Lessons will often be linked to children’s learning in history, geography, science and all other foundation subjects through the use of carefully considered model texts.  We also ensure learning how to write is linked to and inspired by the children’s life experiences.

What is Talk for Writing?

Talk for Writing is an engaging teaching framework developed by Pie Corbett, supported by Julia Strong. It is powerful because it is based on the principles of how children learn. It enables children to imitate the language they need for a particular topic orally, before reading and analysing it, and then writing their own version. 

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is the expression of ideas. Developing children’s vocabulary is an essential route to developing both understanding and the ability to inquire and reflect. We teach the vocabulary of writing systematically and progressively to ensure children can articulate their learning confidently and develop subject knowledge. In writing, we explicitly teach the language of grammar, punctuation, handwriting, presentation and editing. Not only does this enable children to acquire the concepts of writing; it also provides them with a meta-language for discussing and reflecting critically on their own and others’ work. It is essential that vocabulary is alive and exciting for children. Our use of Talk for Writing aims to bring it alive using drama and expression to embed concepts.  Moreover, we use drama, oracy and rehearsal to develop the child’s voice at the same time as reinforcing and deepening their grasp of words.