Literacy

English Scheme of Learning

This scheme of work outlines the content taught and skills gained to ensure students at The Sky Academy gain the best possible outcomes both academically and in the wider world.

Literacy through the years

Year A

Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2
Fiction Post apocalypse Historical Shakespeare Ghost Sci-fi Fairy tales
Non-fiction Non-chronological report Persuasive letter Journalistic writing Balance argument Instructions and explanation Speech
Poetry War poetry

Kennings

Riddles

Limericks

Year B

Autumn 1 Autumn 2 Spring 1 Spring 2 Summer 1 Summer 2
Fiction Dystopia Action Shakespeare Detective Humorous Fantasy
Non-fiction Letter and recount Review Biography Advertising and poster Report Commentary
Poetry Free verse

Emotive poetry

Narrative poetry

Haiku

 

Entertain
Inform
Persuade
Discuss

Learning sequence

Week 1

  • Understanding the key features of the genre/text type
  • Identifying main SPaG used
  • Making comparisons between different genres/text types
  • At least 1 reading, writing and speaking and listen lesson per week

Week 2

  • Practicing SPaG features
  • Practicing genre/text type writing features
  • Talking about writing
  • Writing as a class, group and individual
  • At least 1 reading, writing and speaking and listen lesson per week

Week 3

  • Planning writing
  • Writing the finished piece
  • Re-drafting and editing work
  • At least 1 reading, writing and speaking and listen lesson per week

Writing to entertain

Early Writers
Text features

  • Time sequenced
  • Begin to differentiate between past and present tense to suit purpose
Other Style Ideas

  • Focus on oral work first
  • Use opportunities to reading
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use coordinating conjunctions to link two main ideas

They pulled and pulled at the turnip to get it out.

  • Use noun phrases which add detail to description

Very old grandma, brave woodchopper

  • Use the progressive form for verbs

Goldilocks was walking through the woods.

  • Use exclamation sentences where appropriate

What big eyes you have, Grandma!

  • Adverbial examples

First Then Next After Later The next day…

  • Conjunction examples

and but so or when

Punctuation Content

  • Use finger spaces between words
  • Use capital letters & full stops to mark sentences
  • Use capital letter for first person ‘I’
  • Use apostrophes to mark contractions, e.g. didn’t
  • Use exclamation marks, particularly in relation to speech
  • Begin to use inverted commas to mark direct speech where appropriate.
Developing writers
Text Features

  • Detailed description
  • Use paragraphs to organize in time sequence
Other Style Ideas

  • Opportunities for comparing different forms of past tense (progressive and simple)
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use fronted adverbials to show how/when an event occurs

Without a sound… After a moment…

  • Use expanded noun phrases to add detail & description

…the dark gloomy cupboard under the stairs…

  • Use subordinate clauses to add detail or context

Although Theseus was scared, he prepared to enter the maze.

  • Use nouns & pronouns for clarity and cohesion

They crept into Minos’s great labyrinth. Inside the maze….

  • Adverbial examples

Soon Meanwhile As… The next day… Later… Carefully Without a thought…

  • Conjunction examples

if when because while as until whenever once

Punctuation Content

  • Use full punctuation for direct speech, including punctuation within and before inverted commas

Mum asked, “Will you be home for tea?”

  • Secure use of apostrophes for possession, including for plural nouns.
  • Use commas after fronted adverbials and subordinate clauses
  • May begin to use dashes for emphasis
Skilled writers
Text Features

Detailed description

Use paragraphs to organise in time sequence

Other Style Ideas

Use a range of tenses to indicate changes in timing, sequence, etc.

Grammar and Sentences

  • Use subordinate clauses to add detail or context, including in varied positions.

Although Theseus was scared, he prepared to enter the maze.

Theseus, although he was scared, prepared to enter the maze.

  • Use relative clauses to add detail or context,

Amy grabbed the torch, which she’d strapped to her belt, quickly.

  • Use a wide range of sentence structures to add interest
  • Adverbial examples

Meanwhile Later that day Silently Within moments All night Nearby Under the treetops

-ing openers -ed openers

  • Conjunction examples

if when because while as until whenever once since although unless rather

Punctuation Content

  • Use brackets for incidentals

Amy saw Katie (her best friend) standing outside.

  • Use dashes to emphasise additional information

The girl was distraught – she cried for hours.

  • Use colons to add further detail in a new clause

The girl was distraught: she cried for hours.

  • Use semi-colons to join related clauses

Some think this is awful; others disagree.

Writing to inform

Early writers
Text Features

Appropriate use of past and present tense

Other Style Ideas

Could use a writing frame to structure sections

May include images

Grammar and Sentences

  • Use coordinating conjunctions to link two main ideas

Badgers sleep in the day and look for food at night.

  • Use subordinating conjunctions in the middle of sentences

Badgers can dig well because they have sharp claws

  • Use noun phrases which inform

sharp claws, black fur

  • Use commas to separate items in a list

You will need flour, eggs, sugar and water.

  • Use exclamation sentences where appropriate

What a fantastic time we all had!

  • Adverbial examples

First Firstly Next After Later

  • Conjunction examples

and but so or when if because

Punctuation Content

  • Use finger spaces between words.
  • Use capital letters & full stops to mark sentences.
  • Use question mark.

Did you know…?

  • Use apostrophes to mark possession.

A badger’s home is underground.

Developing writers
Text Features

  • Paragraphs used to group related ideas
  • Subheadings to label content
Other Style Ideas

  • May be built around a key image
  • Use techniques to highlight key words (bold, underline, etc.)
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use subordinating conjunctions to join clauses, including as openers.

Although they have a fierce reputation, the Vikings weren’t all bad.

  • Use expanded noun phrases to inform

A tall dark-haired man was seen leaving the scene.

  • Use commas to separate adjectives in a list,

You will need flour, eggs, sugar and water.

  • Use relative clauses to add further detail

We went to Downing Street, where the Prime Minster lives, before visiting the Houses of Parliament.

  • Begin to use present perfect tense to place events in time,

This week we have visited the Science Museum.

  • Adverbial examples

First Firstly Before After Later Soon Also In addition However

  • Conjunction examples

when before after while because if

Punctuation Content

  • Consolidate four main punctuation marks (. , ! ?)
  • Use capital letters for proper nouns
  • Use commas to mark fronted adverbials

After lunch, we went into the museum

  • Use commas to mark subordinate clauses

When he was a boy, Dahl did not like reading.

  • Use inverted commas for direct speech
  • Use bullet points to list items
Skilled writers
Text Features

  • Paragraphs used to group related ideas
  • Heading/subheadings
  • Use of technical vocabulary
Other Style Ideas

  • May include a glossary
  • Sections may contain more than one paragraph
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use subordinating conjunctions in varied positions

The Polar Bear, although it is large, can move at great speed.

  • Use expanded noun phrases to inform

…a tall dark-haired man with a bright-red cap…

  • Use relative clauses to add further detail

We went to Downing Street, where the Prime Minster lives, before visiting the Houses of Parliament.

  • Begin to use passive voice to remain formal or detached

The money was stolen from the main branch.

  • Begin to use colons to link related clauses,

England was a good country to invade: it had plenty of useful land.

  • Adverbial examples

Meanwhile At first After Furthermore Despite As a result Consequently Due to For example

  • Conjunction examples

when before after while because if although as

Punctuation Content

  • Use brackets or dashes to explain technical vocabulary
  • Use semi-colons to punctuate complex lists, including when using bullet points
  • Use colons to introduce lists or sections
  • Use brackets or dashes to mark relative clauses
  • Secure use of commas to mark clauses, including opening subordinating clauses
  • Begin to use colons & semi-colons to mark clauses

Writing to persuade 

Early writers
Text Features

  • Use of 2nd person
  • Repeat the main ideas
  • Facts & key information
  • Adjectives for positive description
Other Style Ideas

  • Link to oracy, esp. for speeches
  • Use of colour and images, esp. for advertising
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use imperative verbs to convey urgency

Buy it today! Listen very carefully….

  • Use rhetorical questions to engage the reader

Do you want to have an amazing day out?

  • Use noun phrases to add detail and description

Our fantastic resort has amazing facilities for everyone

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly Also In addition On the other hand In conclusion

  • Conjunctions

if because unless so and but even if when

Punctuation Content

  • Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns
  • Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
Developing writers
Text Features

  • Use of 2nd person
  • Planned repetition
  • Facts & Statistics
  • Adjectives for positive description
Other Style Ideas

  • Link to oracy, esp. for speeches
  • Use of colour and images, esp. for advertising
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use imperative verbs to convey urgency

Buy it today! Listen very carefully….

  • Use rhetorical questions to engage the reader

Do you want to have an amazing day out?

  • Use noun phrases to add detail and description

Our fantastic resort has amazing facilities for everyone

  • Use relative clauses to provide additional enticement

Our hotel, which has 3 swimming pools, overlooks a beautiful beach

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly Also In addition However On the other hand Therefore In conclusion

  • Conjunctions

if because unless so and but even if when

Punctuation Content

  • Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns
  • Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
  • Use commas to mark relative clauses
  • Use commas to make fronted adverbials and subordinate clauses

After your visit, you won’t want to leave.

Once you’ve tasted our delicious sandwiches, you’ll be coming back for more!

Skilled writers
Text Features

  • Use of 2nd person
  • Personal pronouns
  • Planned repetition
  • Facts & Statistics
  • Hyperbole
Other Style Ideas

  • Link to oracy, esp. for speeches
  • Use of colour and images, esp. for advertising
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use imperative and modal verbs to convey urgency

Buy it today! This product will transform your life..

  • Use adverbials to convey sense of certainty

Surely we can all agree…?

  • Use short sentences for emphasis

This has to stop! Vote for change!

  • Use of the subjunctive form for formal structure

If I were you, I would…

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly Furthermore In addition However Nevertheless Therefore Consequently In conclusion

  • Conjunction examples

if because although unless since even if rather whereas in order to whenever whether

Punctuation Content

  • Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
  • Use colons and semi-colons to list features, attractions or arguments
  • Use brackets or dashes for parenthesis, including for emphasis

This is our chance—our only chance—to make a difference.

  • Use semi-colons for structure repetition

Bring your friends; bring your children; bring the whole family!

Writing to discuss

Early writers
Text Features

  • Share different points of view or opinions
  • Understanding other people’s ideas or opinions
Other Style Ideas

  • Practice rehearsing sentences or phrases orally
  • Use of writing frames to support structured writing
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use adverbials to provide cohesion across the text

Despite its flaws… On the other hand…

  • Use expanded noun phrases to describe in detail

The dramatic performance by the amateur group was…

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly In addition Therefore In conclusion

  • Conjunction examples

if because and but so when or

Punctuation Content

  • Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns
  • Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
Developing writers
Text Features

  • Share different points of view or opinions
  • Understanding other people’s ideas or opinions
  • Provide points which clearly define the opinions that are being discussed
Other Style Ideas

  • Practice rehearsing sentences or phrases orally
  • Use of writing frames to support structured writing
  • Use paragraphs to structure arguments
  • Maintain formal / impersonal tone
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use of subordinating conjunctions to make connections between points
  • Use relative clauses to provide supporting detail

The rainforest, which covers almost a third of South America…

  • Use adverbials to provide cohesion across the text

Despite its flaws… On the other hand…

  • Use expanded noun phrases to describe in detail

The dramatic performance by the amateur group was…

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly Furthermore In addition However Nevertheless Therefore Consequently In conclusion

  • Conjunction examples

if because although unless since even if rather whereas in order to whenever whether

Punctuation Content

  • Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns
  • Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences
  • Use commas to mark relative clauses and subordinate clauses
  • Use commas to separate multiple adjectives
  • Use commas to denote fronted adverbials
  • Use inverted commas for direct quotes
Skilled writers
Text Features

  • Appropriate use of cohesive devices
  • Use of subjunctive form where needed
Other Style Ideas

  • Use paragraphs to structure arguments
  • Maintain formal / impersonal tone
Grammar and Sentences

  • Use modal verbs to convey degrees of probability

It could be argued… Some might say…

  • Use relative clauses to provide supporting detail

The rainforest, which covers almost a third of South America…

  • Use adverbials to provide cohesion across the text

Despite its flaws… On the other hand…

  • Use expanded noun phrases to describe in detail

The dramatic performance by the amateur group was…

  • Begin to use passive voice to maintain impersonal tone

The film was made using CGI graphics

  • Adverbial examples

Firstly Furthermore In addition However Nevertheless Therefore Consequently In conclusion

  • Conjunction examples

if because although unless since even if rather whereas in order to whenever whether

Punctuation Content

  • Use brackets or dashes for parenthesis, including for emphasis

This performance—the first by such a young gymnast—was a masterpiece!

  • Use semi-colons for to mark related clauses

Some argue … ; others say…

  • Use commas to mark relative clauses
  • Use colons and semi-colons to punctuate complex lists

Subject Documents

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