Writing, like most skills, develops with practise.  Big Writing encourages children to develop their written skills first through talk and then through the written word, encapsulated through the saying “If a child can say it, they can write it!”

Developed by Ros Wilson, Big Writing allows children to check their progress against a set scale and assess their own writing levels using VCOP (Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, Punctuation) criteria.

Writing sessions at New Cumnock Primary School begin with the issuing of “Talk Homework”.  Children will be encouraged to talk to their parent or carer about their writing task they will be set.  This may involve telling a creative story, a personal response or giving information and researching.

During the first hour of writing, children take part in various VCOP activities, all related to writing.  Many of these are interactive and involve children working collaboratively in groups, accessing technologies including the Promethean board or IPads, or even playing word games.  After the activities, children are given the opportunity to plan their writing.  This can take the form of a written plan, a picture plan or a discussion with a partner, group or class teacher.

The second hour of writing is the children’s opportunity for free writing.  During this time, there are no interruptions to the children’s writing process and we often play music to stimulate the children’s creativity.  They are allowed to use the VCOP wall display, word books, dictionaries and VCOP pyramids to assist them with their ideas.

After writing, pupils are encouraged to read back their writing and self assess using the VCOP criteria .  They traffic light their work before allowing the teacher to assess.  One piece of writing each term is chosen for enhanced assessment to track pupils progress in writing.