Raising standards in writing through storytelling

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Authors

Wicks, Cathryn

Issue Date

2010

Educational Level

ISCED Level 0 Early childhood education
ISCED Level 1 Primary education

Curriculum Area

Geographical Setting

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study was to improve writing standards in the school by introducing a new approach based on Pie Corbett's Storytelling into Writing project, which includes key resources such as Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing (Key Stage 1 and 2), Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials. The project requires a whole-school approach and understanding of the power of modelled writing.

Aims: The main aim of this development work was to adopt a new approach to help raise standards in writing, by engaging pupils in their learning, teaching them the skills they need to develop their writing, and challenging them appropriately with key resources such as Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing, Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials.

Methods: The participants in this project included the headteacher, senior leadership team, subject leader, teacher, and teaching assistants. They worked collaboratively to adopt a new approach to help raise standards in writing, using resources such as Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing (Key Stage 1 and 2), Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials. They also had a whole staff INSET on Storytelling and the LA Storytelling Project. Methods used included visiting a "Storytelling School", holding staff meetings, providing CPD training, drawing story maps, using Talk for Writing, and providing differentiated checklists to adopt a new approach to help raise standards in writing. Key resources included Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing (Key Stage 1 and 2), Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials. CPD sessions focused on whole staff INSET on Storytelling and the LA Storytelling Project. The project requires a whole-school approach and understanding of the power of modelled writing. Further developments include extending Talk for Writing to all staff.

Findings: The main findings of this case study are that Storytelling into Writing has improved pupils' writing skills, increased their confidence and enthusiasm, and enabled teachers to use a wider variety of teaching techniques. It has also enabled the Literacy Leader to strengthen her leadership skills and adopt a new approach to help raise standards in writing, which requires a whole-school approach and access to key resources such as Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing, Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials. CPD sessions and resources were also found to be useful.

Implications: The findings of this case study suggest that Storytelling into Writing is an effective approach to improving writing standards, as it engages pupils, increases their confidence, and helps them to plan and structure their writing. It also helps to develop their vocabulary and sentence structure. To replicate this work, a whole-school approach and enthusiasm is essential, as well as access to key resources such as Pie Corbett Storytelling into Writing, Jumpstart! Literacy and Jumpstart! Storytelling, The National Strategies Talk for Writing materials, and APP materials. CPD sessions and resources are also useful for further development.

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Keywords (free text)

Primary education , English - writing

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