What works well?

Shared thoughts and ideas based on successful writing lessons/units of work in ECAW supported classes(Cluster group meeting-Waltham

Forest schools)

Keeping children motivated

In addition to text related work, the most successful lessons seem to include at least some of the following additional elements. These serve to keep the learner motivated/enhance the learning experience and frequently produce a better quality of written work/learning outcome as a result.

Involve children in

ownership of learning

Link writing to other areas of

curriculum

Provide opportunities to celebrate

success

Use a range of visual stimuli

Keep a sense of

‘wonderment’

Encourage lots of

speaking and listening

Involve children in ownership of learning

• Consult children on learning process• Brainstorm ideas for writing focus -

together/in groups• Provide opportunities to make suggestions e.g

through forums• Use success criteria and involve children in

self/peer assessment

Range of visual stimuli

• Picture books• Videos e.g story

starters, scenes from a film

• Photos• Paintings• Real objects• Powerpoints• Web pages

Sense of ‘wonderment’

• Keep a sense of anticipation by not giving too much away, gradually build up a mood, sense of mystery about task.

• Use props e.g box, magic wand, old photo or a puppet

• Take on a role/use clues, to take children through stages of a learning task

Speaking and listening

• Talk partners, group/collaborative tasks

• Role play, dressing up

• Oral presentations• Shared feedback,

evaluative sessions• Games

Cross-curricular link/integrated curriculum

• Put factual tasks into context through history, geography etc.

e.g. report on the Blitz• Make maps to relate

to story work e.g. imaginary worlds, myths

• Use/compose music to suggest mood of a setting/scene from a play

Opportunity to celebrate success

• Children must be given opportunity to finish

• Have varied learning outcomes, including use of ICT e.g poster, Powerpoint, leaflet, make animation or video, podcast

• Audience i.e. assembly, published book, display, shared on MLE

London Borough of Waltham Forest ECAW project – March 2010