Early Writing and Handwriting: an

introductionYear1

Core EnglishMarch 2012

To understand the early stages of writing

To consider how we can support children’s early writing

To consider how we teach handwriting

Session aims

Get into small groups making sure you have a range of phonic resources to discuss

What did you like about your resource?

Were there any drawbacks to your resource?

Review of Phonics resource

Please list the kind of writing you have seen in early years or primary classrooms?

In your groups make a list to share

Writing- A reflection

Now reflect on the types of writing young children might have seen and engaged with in the home.

Again make a list in your groups

Writing in the home

Some children find it difficult to see the relevance school writing has in their own lives

Children need:A purpose for their writingAn audience Their writing to be relevant

Why do young children write?

Browne, 2009

”The appearance of gesture, language and make believe play are signs of a developing ability to represent thought symbolically

This development is accompanied by mark-making, drawing, the pretend writing of messages and, eventually recognizable conventional writing”.

How do young children learn to write?

Whitehead, 2010, p.155

Making a distinction between drawing and pattern making and writing (the sign concept)

Understanding that writing is a sign system for conveying messages involving the production of letter forms (the recurring principle)

The idea that words and sentences can be produced ad infinitum (the generative principle)

The understanding that there is a limitation on the number of letter-like forms acceptable as signs.

Emergent writing-Marie Clay

Whitehead, 2010, p.155

Experiments with mark making, sometimes ascribing meaning to the marks

Uses some clearly identifiable letters to communicate meaning

Represents some sounds correctly in writing Writes own name and other words from memory Holds a pencil and uses it effectively to form

recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed

Attempts writing for a variety of purposes, using features of different forms

 

EYFS Assessment Scales-Writing

Uses phonic knowledge to write simple regular words and make phonetically plausible attempts at more complex words

Begins to form captions and simple sentences, sometimes using punctuation

The child has achieved all the above early learning goals for writing. In addition, the child communicates meaning through phrases and simple sentences with some consistency in punctuating sentences

EYFS Assessment Scales-Writing

Look at the examples of writing you have been given from reception aged children. (A-D)

What do these children know about writing?

Use the EYFS stepping stones handout to identify what stage is these children are at?

Activity 1-

Level 1 Pupils' writing communicates meaning through simple words

and phrases. In their reading or their writing, pupils begin to show awareness of how full stops are used. Letters are usually clearly shaped and correctly orientated.

Level 2 Pupils' writing communicates meaning in both narrative and

non-narrative forms, using appropriate and interesting vocabulary, and showing some awareness of the reader. Ideas are developed in a sequence of sentences, sometimes demarcated by capital letters and full stops. Simple, monosyllabic words are usually spelt correctly, and where there are inaccuracies the alternative is phonetically plausible. In handwriting, letters are accurately formed and consistent in size.

Stages of writing: National Curriculum. En3 Writing

Level 3 Pupils' writing is often organised, imaginative and

clear. The main features of different forms of writing are used appropriately, beginning to be adapted to different readers. Sequences of sentences extend ideas logically and words are chosen for variety and interest. The basic grammatical structure of sentences is usually correct. Spelling is usually accurate, including that of common, polysyllabic words. Punctuation to mark sentences - full stops, capital letters and question marks - is used accurately. Handwriting is joined and legible.

Stages of writing: National Curriculum. En3 Writing

The Hare and the Tortoise (Year 1) The Dirty Puppy (Year 2) Again what are these young writers doing

well? What targets might you set for them?? Can you identify where they might in terms

of NC levels?

Activity 2

In our classrooms how can we: Provide attractive writing areas Extend the range of drawing and mark making

Create literacy rich opportunities for play and drama

In your groups share what you have seen

How can we support children’s early writing? The classroom…

“Much of what children need to learn about writing, from story-structure to written language features and punctuation, can be gained from story telling, shared reading and oral interaction stimulated by them.”

As we watch the video note how the teacher supports the children’s writing and the interdependence of speaking and listening, reading and writing

http://www.teachersmedia.co.uk/videos/ks1-literacy-reading-writing-and-role-play

How can we support children’s early writing?

Developing Early Writing (2001)

In order to develop a legible style, pupils should be taught:

Handwriting how to hold a pencil/pen to write from left to right and top to bottom of a page to start and finish letters correctly to form letters of regular size and shape to put regular spaces between letters and words how to form lower- and upper-case letters how to join letters Presentation the importance of clear and neat presentation in order

to communicate their meaning effectively.

Handwriting and presentation: the National Curriculum

Handwriting-some key points

Left handed/ right handed Type of tool used Script used – upper/lower case letters, joining,

school model Grip, pressure, posture Letter formation Size and slant of letters Spacing between letters, words Size of writing Alignment Writing speed

O’Sullivan 1996

Handwriting-the Early Years

We need to provide opportunities for children to develop:

Physical control through large-scale movement

Manipulative skillsFine motor control & hand-eye coordinationHow might both indoor and outdoor

provision support this?

There are a variety of early handwriting activities for you to enjoy-please use the sheet in your pack to reflect on the skills you are developing and how you might use these in your classroom

Activity 3