Hot Chocolate Friday - Writing

Friday 3rd November 2023 saw our pupil voice session, Hot Chocolate Friday, discuss what's going well and what could be improved within our writing curriculum. I'd like to thank the following future authors, publishers and screenwriters for joining me - Israa, Sharvi, Kaycee, Emaad, Armaan, Anaiyah, Kabir and Azaan.

To start with we ascertained that our KS2 children are writing a range of different text types based around some wonderfully exciting books. Year 3 were empathising with Anisha the Accidental Detective to write a dilemma tale, Emaad was very excited about sharing his adventure story based around 'How to Train Your Dragon' and Years 5+6 were completing the Louis Sachar double of, Holes and There's a Boy in the Girls Bathroom. 

What was really pleasing for me is that all children could name features of their respective text types. As young writers, they were able to talk me through the writing process, understanding the teaching of the key features, modelling, planning whilst reading a range of examples. This structure makes them feel secure in their writing and gives them the opportunity to show off. 

We agreed the following are elements that make a good writer:

* Using features that are unique to that genre.

* Showing off a range of adventurous word choices and figurative language.

* Structuring work correctly.

* Editing and improving when finished.

* Making sure that writing is appealing to the reader.

We have some work to do on relating work to specific audiences, purposes and formality however, we're well on our way to success!