KS1 Literacy - Laying the Foundations 1

Description

Many children entering primary schools today appear less equipped to learn than they've ever been. Teachers claim there's no time to sort out poor language and social skills at Key Stage 1 when SATS are looming. This programme asks how we can better prepare pupils for the challenges of Key Stage 1 literacy.

Galina Dolya arrived in the UK from Russia ten years ago to introduce techniques for developmental education based on the work of psychologist Lev Vygotsky. Children's self-initiated play is considered one of the best ways of developing the skills underlying literacy and learning. We observe opportunities for child-initiated learning as well as short teacher-led group activities at a pre-school nursery.

In the first state school in England to take on Galina's programme, the Foundation Stage coordinator applies a symbolic technique called Story Grammar with reception children. By Year 1, pupils who've benefited from these foundations seem ready for a more structured literacy hour.

Key points:

• Children entering primary classrooms are often ill-equipped for literacy
• Self-initiated play boosts literacy skills
• Self-sufficient pupils handle structured lessons well

Part of the series: Primary TAs