We are really excited to launch the Big
Write here at Willow Bank Junior
school; we believe that children will
enjoy it and become more confident
motivated learners and writers.
The Big Write will happen every Friday
morning. The session will be split into
two sections.
During the first part, children will have
time to focus on specific teaching points,
for example using greater vocabulary, a
variety of punctuation or using different,
more interesting sentence starters.
The children will also be given
opportunities to look at good examples
of the type of writing they are working
on so that they understand what they can
aspire to, and they will have the time to
plan.
In the second session the children will
then write for 45 minutes in a relaxed,
calm environment. This will allow the
children to not feel rushed and to really
enjoy writing and get a sense of pride
and accomplishment.
The Big Talk is an integral part of the Big
Write and we will really need your help for
this.
The Big Talk is a weekly piece of homework.
Your child will bring this home every
Wednesday. On the Big Talk you will be
given the idea (stimulus) for the piece of
writing your child will be doing on Friday. It
will explain what you child will have to do for
example, write a diary, newspaper report or a
story. It will also have some questions that
can be used to help your child to get ideas,
think about the organisation of the writing or
even just what new words they could use.
The idea behind this is that if a child can
speak an idea, then they will be able to write
it.
Although this is a different type of homework
we are sure you will see just how valuable it
will be and that you will recognise that
talking together is one of the most important
factors in developing children’s educational
abilities.
Every week your child will bring a Big Talk
home. Ros Wilson, the creator of Big
Writing, suggests that we try to do the
following:
Encourage as many family members as
possible to be involved in Talk Homework,
possibly around the meal table.
 Switch off the TV! Try to ensure this is
dedicated talking and listening time.
 When giving your opinion, use the
‘because’ word to explain why you think
that.
 Give the possible opinions of two
contrasting family members who are not
present for the talk, and use the ‘because’
word to explain why they may be different.
 Ask others around the table to give their
opinions and to use the ‘because’ word.
 Ask your child his / her opinion and ask
them to use the ‘because’ word.
 Link the topic you are given to discuss
back to something you remember from
when you were a child and say why things
may be different now. Project forward to
how things may be different in the future.
 Think about the types of language choices
that could make the writing better and
discuss what the words mean and how they
could be used in sentences
 Have Fun!!!

Other activities that are helpful to a child’s
development of speaking and listening and
writing are:

Talk! Talk! Talk! – ask children to
describe anything and everything.

Write! Write! Write! – encourage them
to write letters, a diary, email friends
and family, send postcards, make lists,
play vocabulary games, write stories
and illustrate them.

Take the opportunity to comment on
interesting use of punctuation or
sentence starters when reading with
your child.

Use a dictionary or a thesaurus to find
interesting words to use.

Encourage children to think about how
to improve work completed at home
through use of improved language,
punctuation, etc.

Be prepared to explain new words to
your child and give examples of how
to use them.

Read often and widely with your child.

Encourage children to use phrases or
words seen in a book in their own
writing.

Take it in turns to tell a story. One
person starts it, the other says what
happens next, etc.

Look at a picture or photo and describe
it; use it to tell a story.
We hope that by giving the children an
opportunity to write in a more relaxed
setting your child will develop a greater
passion for writing and it will help them to
realise that writing is a universal skill.
We also believe children’s speaking and
listening skills will develop and strengthen
which is a fundamental life skill.
And of course finally we believe that by
introducing the Big Write it will raise both
the attainment of our children and the
progress that they make.
Thank you again for your continued
support; it is always appreciated and
valued.
Willow Bank Junior School
Duffield Road
Woodley
Reading
Berkshire
RG5 4RW
0118 9691556