What is English?

As well as reading and writing, English also involves the development of speaking and listening skills.

Intent

At Shakespeare Junior School we believe that reading is at the centre of learning. We strive to build a culture where reading for pleasure is highly valued and for pupils to become lifelong readers. The library is at the heart of our school, both physically and metaphorically. Children are encouraged to read a variety of genres through the use of Year Group lending libraries, our reading curriculum and the books in the library itself. Through our English lessons, we teach pupils key reading skills and apply these to a range of texts. These rich texts are all used to stimulate the teaching of writing skills, ensuring that our writing is engaging and enjoyable for the children. These skills are then transferred to the wider curriculum. The exposure to a range of engaging texts ensure that there are opportunities to learn new vocabulary. We want every child to have access to a range of vocabulary to help close the disadvantage gap and to allow the children to move successfully onto secondary school.

How do we teach it?

At Shakespeare Junior School, we use a variety of approaches to teaching English. Children may work individually, in pairs or in small groups; where possible, the work is linked to other areas of the curriculum, such as Topic, Science, RE or DT.

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening are vital for all aspects of learning. We want to give children the confidence to express themselves clearly and encourage dialogue and discussion across the curriculum.

Reading

We aim to produce fluent, independent readers with a love of reading.  Emergent readers are taught to decode words using a range of appropriate strategies. As the children become more fluent and independent, they are encouraged to think about plot structure and characterisation, using inference and deduction.  

Our well-stocked library provides pupils with a wide range of reading material including some magazines and newspapers as well as fiction and non-fiction books.

Writing

Children at Shakespeare Junior School are taught to write in a range of styles, both fiction and non-fiction. We use the work of established writers and contemporary non-fiction to analyse the features of each writing style and create a ‘learning journey’ for the range of style taught. Children are taught spelling rules which they are then encouraged to apply to their writing across the curriculum.

While much of this is taught within a specific English lesson every day, we also recognise that pupils can develop literacy skills while they learn about other subjects in the curriculum.

At the beginning and end of every lesson the children are given to a chance to discuss and evaluate their writing based on their targets (see marking). This deepens their thinking and develops them as independent leaners.

Reading for Pleasure

Our aim is to promote reading in a variety of ways and we hope the children will enjoy books at home. Through reading, your child will develop their imagination, knowledge and improve their writing skills. Please look out for our termly Reading Mornings where parents are invited into school to share books with their children. Your child will be encouraged to record any reading they do in their Diaries. They can earn points for their House Group each week by reading at least three times.  

Enjoy!