The Learning Zone

Spotlight on Writing

In the last newsletter, I wrote about the reading component of our English block. This week’s focus is on the writing element, for which an hour is dedicated to honing our writing skills each morning. Again, the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model is the teaching practice we use to Model Writing skills, Guide students to use these skills and allow students to Independently practice these skills when they create written texts.

As a diocese, our schools have taken on an approach we know simply as VCOP. This program includes the focus on V-Vocabulary, C-Connectives, O-Openers and P-Punctuation in writing tasks. We also focus on the different structures and features of different text types.

At the end of a teaching/learning cycle students complete a BIG WRITE, celebrating the skills and techniques they have learnt, to write a text in an atmosphere that supports the writing process.

A final part of this process is called Breakdown Buddies, where students pair up to investigate one another’s writing, looking for evidence of the learning that has taken place. Students then set personal goals for their next writing task.

Photos below give some examples of the different parts of our Writing Block.

How to support your child in writing at home.

-Complete the ‘Big Write’ talk homework for the class writing task

-Ask your child to write the shopping list.

-Write a birthday greeting or a thank you note

-Have a Spelling Bee

-Write in a journal or diary

-Display their writing

-Play writing games, for example, one person writes the beginning, another the middle and the other the end of a family story.

-Read, Read, Read! (some of the most powerful models of what writing can look like is in …Books, Brochures, Billboards, Magazines etc)

A Few Things to Keep in Mind when encouraging writing at home…

Sometimes adults have unrealistic writing expectations of children, so here are some important things to keep in mind.
All writing is valuable.
It’s okay if words are spelled incorrectly. “Inventive spelling” or spelling by sound is normal.
If students aren’t in the mood to write, it’s not worth forcing it.
Keep it fun and light so students associate writing with positive feelings.
There’s no “better” type of writing. If students only want to write lists, that’s okay.
Writing takes a lot of work, so it might take time to see improvement.
Pick a time when the student is fresh and not stressed.

If your child is a David William's fan, you might like to read his tips for young writers below;

David William's Tips for Young Writers

Prime Minister's Spelling Bee

Yesterday, 20 brave St Mary of the Angels' students sat the Spelling Bee, the Olympics of the Spelling World! The atmosphere was exciting, yet tense, as students were on the edge of their seats to attempt to break records in the speed they set to complete 30 random words as accurately as possible. Congratulations to Arlie, Casey, Chaise, Ned, Emmy, Mackenna, Miles, Catie, Charlie B, Darcie, Darcey, Flynn, Hugo, Bella, Lachlan R, Lexi, Peter, Ricky, Scarlett and Zac on completing the contest and in particular our champions were...

School Champion and Yr 3 Champion - Casey Jones

Yr 2 Champion - Mackenna Cleaver

Yr 4 Tied Champions - Chaise Martin and Miles Furphy

Yr 5 Champion - Charlotte Bavea

Yr 6 Champion - Flynn McFarlane

Theresa Grills

Leader of Pedagogy

Library News

Overdue books need to be returned to the library asap!
Please ensure your child has a library bag so they can enjoy these reads at their leisure at home! Library Bags 🤝New Books
The Premier's Reading Challenge is still going and doesn't end until Friday, 23rd August 2024

Premier’s Reading Challenge - 1 Week to go

The countdown is on for the completion of the 2024 Premier's Reading Challenge with the closing date fast approaching on Friday, 23rd of August, 2024 - just 7 days away!