Talk for Writing

In Literacy this term we have been using an approach called Talk for Writing. There are three different phases: immersion, innovation and invention. In the first phase, the class have learned to retell a shortened version of Fantastic Mr Fox using a story map and actions. As the students memorise the text, they are internalizing the sentence structures and learning new vocabulary. During this phase, we have also been doing some grammar and punctuation activities that are important features of narrative writing. We have written animal inspired poems to practise using descriptive language including similes as well as playing games using subordinating conjunctions to link sentences and ideas together.

In the second phase, we have begun using the structure of the shortened version of Fantastic Mr Fox to help us plan and write our own dilemma story. We are working altogether to write a whole class story as well as and in pairs write our own stories. Working together is helping us because we can share ideas, discuss problems, and learn from each other.

In the final phase, the students will plan and write their own stories independently, applying what they have learnt in the previous weeks.

The Year 3s have really enjoyed learning in this way, and we’re sure they are going to write some wonderful stories.