English
At Etz Chaim Primary School, we seek to develop pupils’ skills in all aspects of English: in speaking, listening, drama, phonic, reading and writing. English is essential in all our learning and we want children to fall in love with the subject and with learning!
We all use English:
- to communicate - both through speech and writing
- to learn – to help us make sense of our experiences
- to think - to help organise our ideas
We aim to support and encourage all children:
- to have a love of language: to enjoy the sound of unusual and interesting words, to try to use them in their speech and in writing
- to communicate effectively through speech – listening to others and speaking clearly and confidently
- to have a love of reading: to be able to enjoy ‘getting lost in a book’, reading a story, play or poem, or finding out something new from a non-fiction text
- to read fluently and confidently
- to develop research skills – to be able to access information for themselves
- to think critically for themselves about what they have read - to decide whether what they have read is true or not; to consider whether they agree or disagree with it; to choose what they like and don’t like, etc.
- to use writing to communicate effectively
- to write creatively and imaginatively, enjoying the act of writing
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Adventure Stories- An adventure story often has a cliff-hanger before the final resolution.
- Character/Setting Description- A description is used to add detail to a narrative
- Story Writing-Story writing focuses on creatively looking at the key features, including the plot and description.
- Non- Chronological report- A non-chronological report is a non-fiction report which is not written in time order.
- Adverts- Adverts are written persuasively to help people see things from your point of view.
- Autobiography- An autobiography is an account of a person’s life written by that person.
- Diary- A diary usually links with history topic and children will keep a daily record of events and experiences
- Discussion- A discussion will provide a balanced argument giving reasons for and against your topic
- Explanation- An explanation text gives you information about a subject that you are interested in and would like to know more about
- Leaflet- A leaflet provides information on a topic for example an Etz Chaim information leaflet.
- Instructions- Instructions tell the reader how to do something, for example how to cook a recipe, or play a game
- Newspaper Report-Children will write a newspaper report focusing on the key features, such as headlines and past tense.
- Recount- A recount is a piece of writing that gives details of an event that has happened.
- Play Scripts- A play script is a piece of writing written for the stage including dialogue and stage directions
- Poetry- Poetry focuses on the children creating their own poem, including the key features, such as verses, repletion, rhyming pairs.
Here are samples of work from across the school to give a flavour of the English Curriculum the children learn at Etz Chaim.
Please click here to see Nursery
Please click here to see Reception
Please click here to see Year 1
Please click here to see Year 2
Please click here to see Year 3
Please click here to see Year 4
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knowledge of the history of spelling and the English language
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a range of suggested strategies, approaches, and activities to help improve and practise spelling
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a collection of spelling learning objectives and teaching focuses
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programmes for Years 2 to 6 which draw on the learning objectives and teaching focus
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 1
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 2
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 3
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 4
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 5
Please click here to view the spelling appendix for Year 6
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It can be less intimidating for children
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Children can learn from each other
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The children are taught specific reading skills
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The session has a clear objective
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All children are reading all of the text
Power of Reading
“Reading for pleasure, achievement for life”
Throughout the school we teach literacy through the Power of Reading programme.
The Power of Reading approach has raised achievement in over 2500 schools across England and internationally. Here at Whitmore we have seen The Power of Reading transform the way the teachers teach and the way children feel about reading and writing. Children engage with high quality picture books, novels, poetry and non-fiction through a wide range of teaching approaches. Children are immersed into the text through music, art, drama, discussion and role-play. Other approaches include responding to illustrations, ‘Book Talk’, storymapping and book making. Children take ownership of the text and engage with it deeply.
Please click here to find out more about our learning through the Power of Reading.
Please click here to see the new National Curriculum end of year expectations for Writing.
Please click here to see the new National Curriculum end of year expectation for reading.