Concerned about Y1 DS' writing.

[EarthboundMisfit]

Just that, really. I know his school was criticised for its teaching of writing (content, not handwriting) in a recent OFSTED report. He's good at reading and maths but by his age I could write a lot more. That said, writing is a big part of my job, so perhaps I'm expecting too much?

It's taken him 20 minutes to write this (to be fair, including several drawings). Should I be concerned and, if so, what could I do to help?
.....

I would like a pet Hamster. I Would use a tiyr as a hamster wheel I would use a cardbord box for a pet cage. I would use a dolls house as a home. I will use a piece of card for a dance floor. I will take my pet to the vet every time he is porly.

[almightygirl]

I'm not a teacher but that seems ok to me.
If you want him to work in his writing at home, maybe get him a little book as a diary, or encourage him to write he own stories?

Tbh, you're doing well to get him to write anything as ds2 would always choose to draw over write anything!!

If you're concerned, maybe have a word with his teacher to see what she thinks.

[user789653241]

Try this site? Lots of inspirations for creative writing.

pobble365.com/

[EarthboundMisfit]

Thank you, that looks great. His teacher said at the recent parent's evening that things were all fine, but his classroom is full of posters about connectives,, adjectives etc and despite the fact that we discussed that before he started his homework, he hasn't actually used what we discussed. He reads widely and is bright and articulate with a huge vocabulary..so shouldn't that be showing in his writing?

[ChalkHearts]

Is this a stealth boast? That writing's very good for Y1.

[EarthboundMisfit]

God, not at all. I have no idea what's expected, but the work I've seen on the walls at school, while obviously cherry-picked, is a much higher standard.

[EarthboundMisfit]

No, you're right. He had no idea I was worried! They rarely get any written homework.

[mrz]

Help him to edit his work

What sort of tyre? (Add an adjective) can you think of a way to join your sentences? (In Y1 might just be "and" )
What will the hamster do in the dolls house?
Why does it need a dance floor? (Adding extra derails)

[EarthboundMisfit]

Thank you! That's brilliant!

[almightygirl]

I think in year 1 they're introducing the idea of connectives, adjectives, different sentence starters etc but not expecting them to be used with any consistency. All that will develop in time - no need to rush

[user789653241]

My ds use this.

displays.tpet.co.uk/?resource=387#/ViewResource/id387

[LifeIsGoodish]

That's pretty good for Y1. He has used for and to, rather than just using one of them. He has also used an extended sentence (the vet sentence).

Before every piece of extended writing, the class will probably do a 'cold task', which is to write an unsupported piece. For the middle to upper middle abilities in Y1 the cold task will probably come out looking something like what your ds has written. The class will then spend a couple of weeks studying the topic, learning vocabulary, practicing extending descriptive phrases, planning out the structure of a composition (eg beginning, middle, end) etc. When they finally get down to write the 'assessed' task, they will have their planner to consult, with reminders of everything they are going to write. The assessed task should look quite different to the cold task!

But IMO it is not a true reflection of the child's abilities. That can be seen developing by seeing how the cold tasks improve.

[LifeIsGoodish]

BTW if that's his unsupported spelling and punctuation, it is excellent.

[Boobz]

DD2 is 6 in a couple of months and can just about write her own name. She is in the French system which doesn't formally start to teach reading and writing until the September after they turn 6.

So your DS seems like a genius to me!

[EarthboundMisfit]

Thanks everyone, food for thought there. That is his own spelling and punctuation, not worried about those or about his actual handwriting which is very nice, just the content. Thanks again for all the great advice.