During our most recent Year 6 cross-trust moderation there was one common sticking point….one little statement on the ‘interim’ framework that even those of us who have been teaching for longer than they care to remember (where did 20 years go – wasn’t that long ago I was the cool-kid on the block?!) struggled to find evidence of or even know how to effectively plan for it:
Luckily, I work with some amazing teachers where the true joy of collaborative working is experienced regularly and fabulous ideas and resources were pooled and shared. I will share some of the more useful approaches below as I am pretty sure many more of you are struggling too…!
Firstly, if you have the financial means, a subscription to ‘Grammarsaurus’ is invaluable. New resources are added regularly and they often tackle meaty EGPS issues in child-friendly, easily accessible ways.
https://grammarsaurus.co.uk/portal/category/key-stage-two/ks2-writing/
One of the most inspiring CPD events you can attend is any run by Alan Peat. The man is a font of knowledge plus he is extremely interesting and a brilliant teller of stories. He is running events which focus on writing at greater depth…
http://www.alanpeat.com/conferences/
He is also well worth a follow on twitter or Facebook as he has shared super ideas on shifts in formality…
Remember it is about managing several shifts within one piece of writing and also across a range of texts…
Here are some features to identify in reading and use in writing:
- the subjunctive – I wish I were… If I were you…
- passive constructions – It is widely believed that…
- use of ‘one’ – One should consider…
- technical vocab
- Nominalisation – The arrival of the VIP caused much excitement. (use nouns rather than verbs or adjectives)
- Abstract nouns – Darkness crept in
- Stack your verbs – I propose to change….I demand to see
- Avoid contractions
- Avoid slang
- Use colons to add detail to an independent clause (use it to summarise or detail why)
Opportunities in writing:
- Newspaper Reports can provide great opportunities for these shifts. Formal statements can set the tone for the report which can then be contrasted against the informality of a direct quotation from a witness.
- Diaries are another useful text type for shifts. Reflection can add an element of formality to an otherwise personal, chatty and immediate piece of writing.
- In letter writing personal reflection can also add formality and contrast.
- In narrative the contrast between informal direct speech from characters and the narrators more formal tone can be effective.
I am sure more ideas and inspiration will occur to me, feel free to share your thoughts below.
