English: School Direct Pre-Programme Tasks and Reading 2017

A big welcome from the Primary English Team! We will be supporting you to become an outstanding teacher of English during your time with us.

Please complete the following tasks and reading before the start of your programme

1. Create an English subject knowledge folder (in readiness for your pre and post English session tasks and session notes)

Reflect and answer the following questions (these are the initial questions in the English subject knowledge audit)

·  What do you enjoy about English?

·  Are there any areas of English that you are not confident about?

·  What experiences have you had in teaching English?

·  What qualifications do you have in English? See below

English qualifications
Give title and date / GCSE / A Levels / Degree / Other

Keep your reflections in your subject knowledge folder and bring to the first English session

2. Reading

·  Familiarise yourself with the teaching resource Letters and Sounds

DfES (2007) Letters and Sounds: Principles and Practice of High Quality Phonics, London: DfES

https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationdetail/Page1/DFES-00281-2007

(Letters and Sounds Handbook available to download from Department for Education and all the teaching phases are available on Unihub)

This is the key phonic resource used in the English sessions.

·  Children’s Literature

One of your key roles as a primary teacher will be to develop a love of reading with children. Before the course begins explore the wonderful world of children’s literature. Visit bookshops, libraries and read reviews.
Please explore the Book Trust website
http://www.booktrust.org.uk
Read as many children’s books in Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2 as you can! Read fiction (historical, fantasy, school, animal), Picture books (for younger and older children) Traditional stories (from around the world) classic fiction and poetry.
Please read and make notes during the summer:

·  Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins

·  The Jolly Postman and /or Each Peach Pear Plum by Allan and Janet Ahlberg

·  Clockwork by Philip Pullman

·  The Arrival by Sean Tan

·  The Works (anthology of poetry chosen by Paul Cookson)

Be prepared to share notes and discuss the texts during English sessions

To give insight into the role of children’s literature in learning to read, the English team recommend:
Meek, M (1988) How Texts Teach What Readers Learn Stroud: Thimble Press

3. Complete the SSP confidence survey and activity 1 (separate sheet) and bring to the first session

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Please note that the key text for the English sessions will be:

Medwell, J., Wray, D., Minns, H., Griffiths, V. & Coates, E. (2017) Primary English: Teaching Theory and Practice (8th edition), London: Sage

Copies available in library (hard copies and e-text)