Queenswell Schools
English Page
Welcome to our English page!
INTENT
Reading is like breathing in, Writing is like breathing out…
At The Queenswell Schools, we want all of our pupils to love their teaching and learning in all areas of English: Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing and Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation. Our aim is to develop confident, articulate and creative learners in English. We believe that immersing the children in a language rich environment will inspire and promote a love of Reading and Writing.
Our creative, broad and balanced curriculum follows a clear pathway of progression from EYFS up to Year 6. We know that a secure foundation in English skills is crucial to children succeeding in all areas of the curriculum. We always ‘promote high standards of literacy by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written word, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.' (National Curriculum 2014)
This page is here for all things to do with Reading and Writing. Please come and see me if you would like to share book reviews for books you have read or stories/poems that you have written, and I will publish them on this page for you.
Little Wandle – Letters and Sounds Revised
At Queenswell, we teach phonics and reading using the Little Wandle phonics scheme along with the Big Cat Little Wandle reading books. These books that are directly linked with the Little Wandle phonics scheme are used in school when teaching reading in small groups. The book is then sent home for your child to read and consolidate their learning.
Follow this link for support and guidance on how to help your child with their Phonics at home.
Big Cat Little Wandle Books
The books have been carefully matched to your child’s current reading level. If your child is reading it with little help, please don’t worry that it’s too easy – your child needs to develop fluency and confidence in reading.
Listen to them read the book. Remember to give them lots of praise – celebrate their success! If they can’t read a word, read it to them. After they have finished reading talk about the book together.
Ideas for new books
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/kids-zone/
This link takes you to a great website that gives you all the latest books out for children, including reviews. If you go to the kids zone section there are competitions for you to enter to win books too!
Also, another great website for book reviews and giveaways is Toppsta.com- check it out. I have won several books for our Library through this website and it's all free.
Book Donations and Book Corners
If you have any books that you have finished with that are still in good condition, you can always donate them to your class book corner.
Storytime
Links to online audio stories
https://www.storynory.com/boy-spoke-birds/
https://www.storynory.com/the-weaver-and-the-dragon/
https://www.storynory.com/the-crow-and-friends/
https://www.storynory.com/hansel-and-gretel-2/
https://www.storynory.com/the-mouse-and-the-cake/
Links to videos of authors reading stories
The following link is perfect if you are in between books but still want some storytime with authors reading their books to you!
https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/kids-zone/videos
Storytime Videos
These are just some of the new books in your Book Corners and Library. Look out for them!
Teaching handwriting
Letter-Join Handwriting Programme
We are currently trialling a new scheme to enable our children to form their letters in the conventional way and write in a joint script which is neat, fluent and legible.
The scheme provides a clear, practical framework for implementing and developing a whole school full of enjoyable activities. It offers full coverage of the technical aspects of writing
(including letter formation, basic joins, printing, speedwriting and slant) and these are taught in purposeful and curriculum-relevant contexts, principally in the areas of phonics, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
The programme goes from Reception through to Year 6.
The Handwriting Style
Nursery and Reception printed letters Year 1 and beyond– Developing a cursive style and progressing into joins
These links will help you support your child with their handwriting at home:
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar games to help you learn at home.
Click on the tabs at the top of the page for your age group. Have fun!
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games/5-7-years/letters-and-sounds