English staff: 2006/2007

Literacy

Literacy and communication skills are essential if students are to leave school equipped to deal with the demands of modern life. The English Department strives to develop these skills in each and every student. The teaching of skills is very much at the heart of every English lesson: short starter activities, allowing quick fire response and a focus on a particular aspect of grammar, punctuation, spelling or writing organisation, ensure that lessons get off to an effective start; a summing up plenary activity at the end of the lesson which recaps the main teaching points ensures that pupils are able to reflect and evaluate on the skills that they have learnt.

Equally important is the development of ICT skills, so the department encourages pupils to word-process work as well as carry out internet research (often in conjunction with book based research). Pupils are also encouraged to use their ICT skills to present class talks through the use of a laptop computer and data projector, which are available in the department . The English Department endeavours to extend the application of the student's computer skills, so that they can gain confidence and access internet web - sites for information.

National Literacy Strategy Key Objectives - Year Nine

PUPILS SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO:

Word level

Spelling

Spell accurately all high-frequency words and new terms from all subject areas

Spelling strategies

Recognise their strengths as spellers, identify areas where they need to improve and use appropriate strategies to eliminate persistent errors

Vocabulary

Recognise layers of meaning in the writer's choice of words e.g. connotation, implied meaning, different types or multiple meanings

Sentence level

Sentence construction and punctuation

Write with differing degrees of formality, relating vocabulary and grammar to context, e.g. using the active or passive voice

Paragraphing and cohesion

Compare and use different ways of opening, developing, linking and completing paragraphs

Stylistic conventions of non-fiction

Analyse and exploit the stylistic conventions of the main text types, e.g.parody

Standard English and language variation

Write sustained standard English with the formality suited to reader and purpose


Text level - Reading

Research and study skills

Synthesise information from a range of sources, shaping material to meet the reader's needs

Reading for meaning

Compare the presentation of ideas, values or emotions in related or contrasting texts

Understanding the author's craft

Analyse and discuss the use made of rhetorical devices in a text

Study of literary texts

Analyse ways in which different cultural contexts and traditions have influenced language and style e.g. black British poetry, Irish short stories

Text level - Writing

Produce formal essays in standard English within a specified time, writing fluently and legibly and maintaining technical accuracy when writing at speed

Imagine, explore, entertain

Explore different ways of opening, structuring and ending narratives and experiment with narrative perspective e.g. multiple narration

Inform, explain, describe

Integrate diverse information into a coherent and comprehensive account

Persuade, argue, advise

Make a counter-argument to a view that has been expressed, addressing weaknesses in the argument and offering alternatives

Analyse, review, comment

Present a balanced analysis of a situation, text, issue or set of ideas, taking into account a range of evidence and opinions

Speaking and Listening

Speaking

Use standard English to explain, explore or justify an idea

Listening

Identify the underlying themes, implications and issues raised by a talk, reading or programme

Group discussion and interaction

Discuss and evaluate conflicting evidence to arrive at a considered viewpoint

Drama

Develop and compare different interpretations of scenes or plays by Shakespeare or other dramatists