Getting ready

Before actually putting children to paper and pencil it is useful to spend some time clarifying the issues relating to the written task through other verbal media, which will help above all the least able pupils. We have found the following activities help children prepare for writing at this stage:

• debate and discussion
• role plays
• simulation games
• hunting for suitable vocabulary items

Oracy - discussion led teaching,

Thus we may ask the children to debate the question ‘What shall we do when the King dies?' As they consider this question and struggle to put forward their points of view, and hear others' ideas (for the point of mixed ability teaching is that all should profit) they become clearer in their minds about what they want to put on paper.

Vocabulary - pupil talk

The blackboard is frequently used to record ideas...