Literacy at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1

f. Creating a writing environment

An Early Years adviser once told me to get down on my knees in the middle of the classroom and look around at the writing in the room. It was a salutary experience and one I recommend to my student teachers. Not only does it alert you to inappropriately positioned notices but it also draws attention to the range of writing and print on display. For example, whose writing is on the wall? Who has written the captions? Is it all written by hand or has it all been printed off the computer? Are there any posters or notices from local shops: environmental print that brings real life into the classroom.

• What kinds of writing are reflected in the home corner, the reading and writing corner? In the Foundation and Reception classrooms where they are working, your student teachers may observe children using lively and well designed writing areas.

• Your student teachers will need to be aware of the importance of talk for writing in the early years: the need to listen to children and encourage them to talk about their ideas for writing The CGFS has a focus on the importance of talk which student teachers can usefully pick up in a shared session on the NLS Developing Early Writing where ‘Talk for Writing’ is highlighted and a range of creative links are suggested with stimulating texts.

See also Jennifer Logue on Speaking and Listening

and

5c. Storytelling, drama and role play and 7a. Developmental writing and creating a writing environment