BIG WRITE in Y1

[zlaya]

Hi,
Does anyone know anything about this, going by what DD says, it isn't a story writing I can't fully make out what she is supposed to do.
Yesterday she came home subdued and not herself telling me she felt "dumb" she could only write five lines, half A4 and also that she missed the playtime, she had to stay in and finish her BIG WRITE, another five lines
She could not do it.
What does it involve?
How much writing is expected?
What style of writing?
What is teacher looking for in this type of writing?
What are the objectives?
What can I do to help her?
TIA
DD must have had this BIG WRITE thing since starting Y1, but this is the first time there is an obvious issue with it, she obviously could not do it yesterday for whatever reason.

If it's anything like ours, they work Monday to Thursday on a topic which is usually based on a book which they read. On Friday, big write is when the are asked to write a story or piece on that - it's creative and the point seems to be to get them to write with a flow and think independently.

Year One sounds quite young to be able to do that reliably. I think ours seem to start it in Year Two. Seems mean and ridiculous to keep her in/ make her feel stupid! I'd talk to the teacher - sounds really ott.

In our yr 1 class they take home a question on Thursday and write about it on Friday...
You should talk to her teacher if you're concerned and ask how you can help?

Thanks smee the way you described it sounds more digestible to me, but I don't think that is the way it is done at DD's school, I think it all happens in one day, they cover the topic in the morning, and after the morning break they write about it, there never was any info sent home and by doing a little bit of research this morning I find the way is done in DD's school is not a "right way"
She certainly does not feel ready to do it in one day, cover the topic and then produce A4 sheet of writing about it.
I will be having a word with the teacher in regards to missing the playtime, DD is just over five, and I feel social interaction, physical activity as is the fresh air is much more important then page of writing when you are 5.

Blimey yes. I'd steam in there too. Ridiculous at five to be kept in for not being able to write well. My DS would have been kept in all the time!

Pretty much the whole of DD's Y1 class would be staying in at playtime with those criteria.

Is it possible that either DD was messing about (so teacher asked her to stay in to finish what she should have been doing) OR teacher asked her to stay behind so she could help her individually?

Worth finding out anyway, I agree.

Wow, all they do for DD2 (5) is Big Talk, where they send home a note on Monday saying what they'll be talking about on Friday. We are supposed to discuss it and then on Friday they all have a Big Talk about it. DD1 didn't start doing big write until primary! DD2 can't write legibly yet anyway, she's a lefty and very resistant to practising. If she had to sit and write until they considered she'd done enough, she'd feel miserable.

Unlikely she was messing about, she is a calm girl if little immature for Y1, but over all follows instructions well if she understands them.
Also unlikely teacher kept DD in to help her individually, work was incomplete and left for today, DD had difficulties falling asleep last night, she was anxious, I tried to help in the morning and give her pointers, but it is hard to help seeing I have no idea what the topic was all about.
Interesting enough DD doesn't have a problem with writing at home, she will write about holidays or outings with good accuracy will decorate her writing with pictures, over all good for five year old I feel, but it is apparent there is a problem at school with her writing, she can't keep up.

Our school have a fab interactive whole school assembly on the Monday morning - the teachers do some role play, the kids get to shout out questions & suggestions, and they always have a couple of physical objects related to the topic. The kids are all asked to bring their slippers and dressing gowns in to wear to listen to the assembly too. It's meant to be great fun for them. Then they spend a few days talking about the experience, their ideas and how to write them out, and then by the Friday they've usually all written something down. The Y1's and YR's usually manage a couple of words or sentences depending on their ability, the Y6's a page or two (or more). Your school sounds archaic OP!

All of you flagged up the same, which is the time needed for the writing ideas to develop in their minds, DD doesn't have that time, everything feels compacted and rushed and done with great urgency, my worry is she will go off writing completely and will refuse to do it, and then we are in trouble.

DS (yr2) does the big write every friday. It is timed too.

Yr1 tend to do it every now and then (maybe every 6-8wks or so) to get them used to it for yr2.

From my experience, very few year 1 children are able to write a full A4 page of sensible writing, in fact I knw of some Y2's that are still unable to do this. They are usually still learning to write fluently etc and I think the expectation would be to try and write reasonable sentences?

It is a lot for a 5 year old to do as often they are still finding it hard to get the words from their head onto paper! Definitely talk to the teacher to find out what the expectation is.

I would be livid if my Y1 DS was kept in for not completing work quick enough (unless it was due to him messing around of course, lol!)

Thank you all, I guess I will have to make that appointment and go see the teacher, What am I going to say? I have no idea yet, I would like to tackle the missed playtime situation and try to put across somehow non offensively, that I would not like DD to miss playtime again for the sake of work.
I will also raise the subject of this Big Write palaver and obviously ask for ways and tips to help DD write better and more.
I wish my dd was in more in gentle and accepting school environment such as your DC's ones.
I dread to think how it will all rev up even more and accelerate in Yr2.

It sounds from your post that the teachers don't understand the concept of Big Writing or the fact that in Y1 the should be using Big Talk first www.andrelleducation.co.uk/shop/by-type/books/talk-the-big-talk/ and even with Big Write it should be time limited not how many lines you need to write!!

DS's (yr2) Big Write is timed but on a topic they are told that morning, not one they have been working on that week, although I am sure it all ties in iyswim.

big writing explained

It is normal to introduce the writing the day before

Mrz - that's interesting, thanks

Going by the link mrz posted it's not a done deal in DD's school, it all happens in one day, so agree with mrz I don't think they are doing the BIG WRITE right.
I started doing more writing with DD at home, only few lines about anything interesting about our day in hope I will boost her writing stamina, so she will be able to produce "more lines that are compulsory" in school.