improving writing in ks2 how can you help your child?

Improving Writing in KS2

How can you help your child?

4 Aspects of Writing

* Spelling* Handwriting* Grammar* Composition / genre

Spelling

* Patterns taught* Key words* Strategies for learning* Homework

Handwriting

* Letter formations and joins* Pen licence

Vocabulary

* Choosing the best word for the job.

* What effect are we trying to create? (link to their reading)

Which do you prefer and why?

The fierce hound

The savage beast

Can you improve the verb in this sentence?

The rat walked in the shadows.

Genres

Features: * Audience* Style - formal / informal, sentence structures, types of language.

* Structure* Layout* Types of punctuation

Grammar

* Using correct terms: noun, verb, adjective, adverb (activity 1).

* Correct tense.

* Conjunctions.

Punctuation

* What types are there?* When might we use them?* What do they do?* Activity 2

Improving SentencesActivity 3: Improving a sentence.

* Add in adjectives / adverbs.* Improve the verb.* Add a subordinate clause after the noun to add details such as what they look like, where they are from.* Use a conjunction to say more.

Improving SentencesActivity 4: Using subordination to

extend ideas.

• Add a clause on the front.• Add a clause after the noun.• Add a clause on the end after a conjunction.

Improving SentencesActivity: Openers.

* Varying openers to sentences adds interest / builds tension / puts important words first.* Use ing words (verbs) * ly words(adverbs) * conjunctions* subordinate clause

Levels

* National Curriculum Levels.

* Assessment Focuses - I can Statements.

* Levelled Samples

Summary: What can I do to help my child to write better?

• Keep positive• Engage children in books (keep reading to them) Discuss word choices and why the author chose them.• Use ambitious words with them in conversation and encourage them to use them in writing.• Use correct terminology for punctuation and word groups.• Challenge them to begin sentences in different ways, add in detail, describe the noun, describe the verb• Re-read sentences aloud to hear mistakes and edit.