The Big Write

What is BIG Writing?

  • It is a philosophy about writing which was originally devised by Ros Wilson. (A former teacher and Ofsted Inspector
  • We have taken it and adapted it to suit our school and our children.
  • It is based on the premise that to write well children need to feel confident and motivated.

When does it take place?

  • Once every other week, using all the skills the children have learnt over that time period.  
  • The lighting is sometimes changed and music is played softly in the background.
  • Children are encouraged to write at length without interruption.  
  • They are building their writing stamina.

How long do we write for each week?

  • Foundation Stage ‘talk’ about their writing and start putting down words.
  • Year 1 write for 20 mins.
  • Year 2 write for 30 minutes.
  • Year 3 to Year 6 write for 45 minutes +

What do they learn?

The children write on special paper, which is stuck into their Big Write book. This has the assessment criteria alongside.

  • When the children have written their work the teachers mark it and give them detailed ‘small steps’ targets for improvement
  • We want every child in school to know what they need to do to improve to reach their next level.

So how does Big Writing work? 

It is a way of teaching children to write, through focusing on four main aspects of writing:

Vocabulary
Connectives
Openers 
Punctuation

What can you do to help your child?

  • Talk! Ask them to describe everything and anything.
  • Take it in turns to tell a story. One person starts it; the other says what happens next etc…
  • Look at a picture or photo together. Use it to tell a story. Think of a title for your story. What would the opening 10 words be?
  • Encourage your children to spot WOW words and perhaps write them down in a book at home or on a piece of paper.
  • Encourage your children to borrow words or phrases which they like from books, magazines, television programmes.

WRITE and make it real!

Encourage them to:

  • Write letters
  • Write a diary
  • Take notes about a walk, a trip etc…
  • Make lists – to do lists, shopping lists, lists of favourite music, games, characters, books etc… 
  • Use games to help develop vocabulary such as puzzles, crosswords, word games, anagrams etc…
The full presentation from the parent meeting and a parent factsheet can be found here: 

Big Write parent meeting
File Size: 13572 kb
File Type: ppt
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Big Write Parent Factsheet
File Size: 178 kb
File Type: pdf
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Below you will find a file containing posters to help your child develop their Vocabulary, Connective, Openers and Punctuation.

VCOP Posters
File Size: 678 kb
File Type: pdf
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