Literacy

This term in Literacy, pupils will develop their reading, writing and oracy skills through a range of purposeful and engaging text types linked to our wider topic on energy and sustainability. Children will focus on writing recipes, persuasive posters, and an explanation text based on why something happened. These text types will allow pupils to write for a clear purpose and audience, while developing important organisational and language skills.

Through shared reading and discussion, pupils will explore a variety of texts, learning to identify key features and techniques used by writers. Children will develop an understanding of audience, adapting their language, layout and tone to suit different purposes. When writing recipes and posters, pupils will learn how to present information clearly and persuasively, using rhetorical questions, simple for and against arguments, and evidence to support their ideas. They will also be encouraged to write empathetically, helping the audience to relate to their message.

Pupils will focus on organising information for effect, using features such as headings and subheadings, numbered steps, bullet points and clear sequential order. They will develop their use of imperative verbs, connectives, prepositions, technical vocabulary and common nouns to make their writing precise and effective. Children will also use pictures, diagrams and labels to enhance meaning and presentation, building an awareness of how different layouts suit different audiences.

Later in the term, pupils will apply many of these skills when writing an explanation text that explains why something happened. They will learn how to sequence events logically, use appropriate tense, and organise information into clear sections. Pupils will continue to use headings, diagrams and bullet points where appropriate, developing an understanding of how explanation texts inform the reader rather than persuade them. As skills overlap across text types, children will be supported to apply what they have learned flexibly and confidently.

How You Can Help at Home

• Talk about texts
  Discuss posters, recipes, instructions or information texts you see at home or out in the community. Ask:

  • Who is this written for?

  • What is the purpose?

  • What features can you spot?

• Encourage explanation
  Ask your child to explain why or how something happens, such as:

  • Why lights turn on

  • How recycling works

  • Why saving energy is important

• Support writing for real purposes
  Invite your child to:

  • write a simple recipe

  • create a poster with a message

  • explain why a change has happened (e.g. weather, routines)

• Focus on organisation, not just spelling
  Encourage the use of headings, bullet points, diagrams and clear order when writing.

• Build vocabulary through conversation
  Use and discuss topic-related words at home, helping children feel confident using technical vocabulary in their writing.