Writing

Here you will find videos, links and resources for aspects of writing.

Our writing goals

In class we have been using these writing goals to help the children remember key writing concepts during writing. I choose 1-2 goals for them each time they write and then they can tell me how they did.

When you are writing with your child you can use questioning and prompting to remind them of their goal.

e.g. "Remember to reread your sentence to check its making sense"

"Can you find that sound on your word card? Shall we find it together to check our writing?

"You have just finished one word. What do you need to remember before you write your next word?"

When focusing on handwriting practice we use three main goals.

In the children's handwriting book I place dots to support the children and remind them where the letter begins.

Find More information on pencil grip further down the page.

Writing tools

I have sent a word card home with each child from Sparrows.

On this card one side has all the sounds from the alphabet and their letter as well as some key blends often used by children this age.

On the other side you will find some tricky words. You use this side to help prompt your children to find and write these words or find and check their spelling of the words

e.g. "The, I can see 'the' on the red flower, can you find it." or " 'was' is on the blue flower"

Phase 2 and 3 phonics sounds

Below I have also put some sound mats for the specific phase 2 and 3 phonics sounds. In your home pack you have flip cards for both of these to practice at home. The phase 2 is Orange and Phase 3 is Purple.

To support learning these sounds you can flick through them daily saying the sound and then getting your child to copy after you.

Some tips for supporting your children's writing created by https://www.mrspriestleyict.com/

Writing example 1.m4a

Writing example 2.m4a

Writing example 4.m4a

Writing example 5.m4a

Writing example 6.m4a

Tips for pencil grip

It is important to allow your child to develop a comfortable pencil grip in their own time. There is no need to force your child to hold a pencil in a certain way - their grip should naturally develop and progress as their muscles and posture strengthen and develop.

Palamar Grip

The elbow, wrist and fingers stay in a fixed position. Movement comes from the shoulder.

This grip usually develops between the ages of one and two.

Digital Pronate Grip

All fingers are holding the pencil and the palm is facing downwards. The elbow and the wrist stay in a fixed position. Movement comes from the shoulder.

This grip usually develops between the ages of two and four.

Splayed Four-Finger Grip

Looks similar to how adults would hold a dart, with four fingers and the opposite thumb.

The hand is in the air, not resting on the table. Movement comes from the elbow and later the wrist. Fingertips and shoulders remain in a fixed position.

This grip usually develops between the ages of two and four.

Static Tripod and Quadropod Grip

Pencil is held with the first three or four fingers. Movement comes from the wrist. Fingertips, elbow and shoulder remain in a fixed position.

This grip usually develops between the ages of three and five.

Dynamic Tripod Grip

The Pencil is held lightly between the thumb and index finger and middle finger. The ring and little finger curl gently into the palm of the hand. The hand rests on the table. Movement comes from the fingertips. The wrist, elbow and shoulder remain in a fixed position.

Ways to build fine motor skills around the house - Fine motor skills strengthen your hands and fingers which help with writing.

Pegging - clothes or toys on a line. Pegging or putting hair clips on toilet paper/paper plate people you have drawn faces on.

Threading - this could be penne on straws, beads on string, or toilet paper rolls on shoelaces, even putting spaghetti sticks through a colander. Any threading helps.

Building blocks - lego, wood blocks, or even balancing rocks on each other.

Small object transfer - This could be pom poms, pasta, seeds, buttons. use tongs at home or spoons to move them from bowl to a tray.

Save the animals - Using rubber bands, string, or bits of paper you can wrap up toys for your child to rescue from their trap either by cutting or untangling.

Taped toys - If you have sticky tape you can stick objects down onto the bench, floor, or a table and get your child to peel them off.

Silly rolls - Make silly creations using toilet rolls, colouring pencils, and scissors. Opportunities to use scissors will strengthen the hands.

Cutting - You can cut anything, from paper to leaves you find around on your walks

Pull out the pom pom - fill a

Small parts placing - You can use loose parts like buttons, stones, or even pasta. Draw an image or a letter and place the loose parts across the lines

Squeezing - Squeezing out sponges or a soft toy

Painting - Although not many of us have paint at home (me included) If you have an old brush lying around you can paint with water.

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