Literacy
Our Writing Program and the Big 6 + 1 of Writing
At Kismet Park our writing program aims to enrich your child’s learning experience! Our approach is built around the "Big 6 + 1" of writing, a framework designed to cultivate essential skills that every young writer needs. Here’s a closer look at each component and how we incorporate them into our curriculum.
THE BIG 6 OF WRITING
1. IDEAS
What It Is: Generating and developing ideas is the foundation of effective writing. It’s about finding inspiration and creating a clear vision for their piece.
How We Teach It: We encourage brainstorming sessions in student’s writers notebooks where students can share and refine their thoughts. Activities like mind mapping help them explore various topics and select compelling ideas to develop.
2. ORGANISATION
What It Is: Organisation involves structuring ideas logically to enhance clarity and flow. It ensures that the writing is easy to follow and makes sense to the reader.
How We Teach It: We teach students to outline their work before they start writing. Tools like graphic organisers help them visualise their structure and understand the importance of introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions.
3. VOICE
What It Is: Voice is the unique style and personality that a writer brings to their work. It reflects the writer’s perspective and engages the reader on a personal level.
How We Teach It: Through reading diverse texts and discussing the authors' styles, we encourage students to experiment with their own voice. Creative writing prompts and peer feedback sessions help them express themselves authentically.
4. VOCABULARY
What It Is: Word choice refers to selecting the right words to convey meaning effectively and evoke emotions. It enriches the writing and helps paint vivid pictures for readers.
How We Teach It: We focus on expanding vocabulary through reading and word games. Students practise using descriptive language and synonyms to enhance their writing and make it more impactful.
5. SENTENCE FLUENCY
What It Is: Sentence fluency involves the rhythm and flow of sentences. It’s about creating varied sentence structures to keep the reader engaged.
How We Teach It: We conduct exercises that emphasise varying sentence length and structure. Reading their work aloud helps students hear the flow and make adjustments for better readability.
6. CONVENTIONS
What It Is: Conventions encompass grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Mastery of these rules is essential for polished writing.
How We Teach It: We integrate direct instruction on grammar and conventions within our writing lessons. Regular editing and revising sessions encourage students to recognise and correct their mistakes, promoting attention to detail.
PLUS ONE: PRESENTATION
What It Is: Presentation is the final step that brings all the elements together. It’s about how students share their work—whether through neat handwriting, effective formatting, or even oral presentations.
How We Teach It: We emphasise the importance of presenting their work beautifully. Students learn to format their pieces correctly and take pride in how their writing looks. Additionally, we offer opportunities for them to share their writing with the class, helping them gain confidence in presenting their ideas.
Our writing program integrates these components through interactive lessons, collaborative projects, and individualised feedback. By combining creativity with structure, we empower students to express themselves confidently while honing their writing skills.
We believe that with your support at home, we can foster a love for writing that will last a lifetime. Thank you for being a vital part of our community, and we look forward to seeing your children thrive as writers!