As part of their study of Vikings, our Y4s have created some simply brilliant extended writing this term.
Writing is a skill that can sometimes seem daunting, but we are pleased to say that our Y4 boys are attacking the challenge in true Viking spirit.
Following drama and role play, learning the history of Lindisfarne and its monks, the boys have worked collaboratively to prepare for their extended writing. Mr Powell, Head of Y4, told us, “Before the boys started writing, we came up with ideas and language as a class to use. The boys then had an example starter paragraph to get them started (often the hardest part of writing) and give them a sense of style. This supportive and collaborative process lets the boys truly focus on their writing skills.”
The boys are also using sentences developed by the educational specialist Alan Peat. These sentences, which have handy names that the boys have learned to recognise, decode and use, help them write exciting, sophisticated pieces of writing that use the right tone for their purpose.
Mr Powell explained, “I am incredibly proud of how the boys’ writing has progressed from the start of the year to now. Using the Alan Peat sentences has up-levelled their writing. Boys thrive on structure and understanding why things are important, their application, and how they will help them, and these sentences give the boys a hugely practical and beneficial toolkit to draw upon.”
Even in Y4, the boys also learn to review and edit their writing, working on whiteboards and reworking it before putting it down on paper. And their challenge: to write as Lindisfarne Monks warning others of Viking attacks – a challenge they are carrying off with brilliantly emotive, imaginative and intelligent writing!
