Boosting Year 6 Writing Outcomes
Grammar for Writing: A Randomised Controlled Trial Study
The pedagogy and sample lesson plans
The pedagogy
In this research project young writers are shown high-quality texts, how writing is shaped and crafted, and how grammatical choices are one part of that shaping.
The pedagogy of the intervention is founded on four key principles:
- Make a link between the grammar being introduced and how it works in the writing being taught;
- E.g. exploring how post and present tense are used in newspaper reports for recount and comment.
- Explain the grammar through examples, not lengthy explanations;
- Exploring how prepositional phrases can establish setting in a narrative. For example, you could explore how prepositional phrases establish the setting for each of the characters in ‘The Gruffalo' and then ask the children to create a new character in the ‘The Gruffalo' story and describe where he or she lives using prepositional phrases.
Download the Gruffalo sample lesson
- Exploring how prepositional phrases can establish setting in a narrative. For example, you could explore how prepositional phrases establish the setting for each of the characters in ‘The Gruffalo' and then ask the children to create a new character in the ‘The Gruffalo' story and describe where he or she lives using prepositional phrases.
- Build in high-quality discussion about grammar and its effects;
- E.g. discussing as a whole class the different grammatical choices in two students’ drafts of the ending to an argument piece.
- Use examples from authentic texts to link writers to the broader community of writers;
- E.g. using the class shared book as a source for exploring how grammar shapes meaning. For example from 'The BFG' explore rhythm through the pattern of three clauses.
Download the BFG sample lesson
- E.g. using the class shared book as a source for exploring how grammar shapes meaning. For example from 'The BFG' explore rhythm through the pattern of three clauses.
