Grammar, punctuation and spelling
Spelling
To be a successful writer we believe that children need to be able to spell accurately and quickly, knowing the relationship between sounds and letters. Spelling skills are introduced through direct teaching and linked to the phonics programme. In both key stages children are taught the key sight vocabulary. In addition, the spelling rules from the National Curriculum appendices are used to teach spelling across school.
Children are taught strategies to help them to spell during the teaching of English and across the curriculum and in lessons focus upon particular spelling skills. When writing, word banks are provided to aid pupils’ writing fluency across all areas of the curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to use these independently and we encourage the children to show resilience, especially when attempting new or more challenging vocabulary.
In order to ensure that children do not lose confidence in spelling, when staff mark writing, not every error is corrected.
All pupils are encouraged to:
- Develop dictionary skills to support their spelling.
- Learn their spelling challenge words as an integral part of their home learning
- Attempt words for themselves using a range of strategies – using phonics knowledge first.
- Use a variety of resources to help with spelling e.g. dictionaries, word banks, classroom environment, learning partners, Grow the Code mats etc. and then apply these spellings accurately.
- Use Spelling Shed to build familiarity and automaticity with high frequency words and key spelling patterns.
In Years 1-6, we follow the Spelling Shed scheme. This curriculum helps the children to use their phonic knowledge effectively, as well as their understanding of syllables, to be able to spell words with increasing accuracy.
Year 3 and 4 word listYear 5 and 6 word list
Spellings
The children in Years 1 – 6 are expected to learn 10 focus words every week. These words link to the statutory spelling lists and specific patterns.
Each phase has a list of statutory words that the children are expected to learn as part of their home learning. The words are introduced in the first year of the phase and contextualised so that the children understand them. Within the second year of the phase, the words are revisited and the spelling of these words is consolidated further.
Spellings will also feature words that link into a particular pattern. These words are based upon the key word lists and the spelling patterns found in the National Curriculum appendices and guidelines. Throughout the year, these words are assessed but we do not test weekly spellings.
SEND pupils and pupils with a specific spelling difficulty may have words to learn which are appropriate to their needs and which will help them to make more rapid progress in reading and writing.
The statutory words are on target whenever the pupils write and are on focus when marking to show application in context.
Home Learning
To support spelling fluency and automaticity, children are expected to practise their spellings as part of our home learning policy. Children are given a copy of their current spellings to practise regularly, but these are also available as an assignment on Spelling Shed.
Children in Year 5 and Year 6 also have home learning set as a half termly block on SPAG.com to help them consolidate their knowledge of grammar and punctuation.
Children in Year 6 also have access to SATS Bootcamp.
Grammar and Punctuation
All grammar and punctuation is taught within writing lessons, although the children are encouraged to apply their skills to their written work across the curriculum.
The children are taught explicit grammar skills for writing in context so that they can apply them with precision and purpose.
Grammar & Punctuation Knowledge Organisers Years 1-6