Talk for Writing

At the Olive Tree School we encourage literacy through 'Talk for Writing', an engaging teaching framework created by Pie Corbett, author, poet and literacy expert, which was implemented into our interpretation of the British curriculum for Early years and Primary in 2019. 

This innovative learning method enables children to begin literacy through story-mapping, narration and re-enactment, before they even put pen to paper, which enriches and expands their learning. 

The scene is set by an exciting 'hook' , enticing children in, such as a dragon spotted on the Olive Tree patio, a letter from Supertato to save him from evil pea or the gingerbread man’s crumbs all over the Saplings floor! 

We then learn the text, by using a story map (pictograms) and follow this with oral story telling and actions. We then explore the characters in the text further by using drama techniques, such as freeze frames and hot seating, by interviewing our characters. 

We encourage the children to develop their vocabulary and to use figurative language to create a particular effect in their writing. Finally, the children write their own alternative version of the text - such as 'The Little Seahorse and the Big Bad Shark.' It is a whole immersive and sensory experience. As children are all different types of learners, Talk for Writing allows many other skills to develop: communication through language, an expanded vocabulary, self-confidence in presentation and sentence writing skills. 

To see Pie Corbett in action with his inimitable style using the 'Talk for Writing' story map method, please watch here: https://youtu.be/JdvJZD-cplg?si=JFTduhacjSGH2W4i