Core Skills Analysis
Literacy
- Finn learned the basic structure of a letter, including greeting, body, and closing.
- He practiced fine motor skills and pencil control through writing.
- Finn developed early writing skills by forming letters and words to express a message.
- The activity fostered communication skills and understanding that writing can be used to share thoughts and feelings.
Expressive Language
- Finn improved vocabulary use by thinking about the content and purpose of his letter.
- He learned to organize ideas sequentially, structuring a coherent message for the reader.
- The activity promoted emotional expression and social interaction through written words.
Tips
To deepen Finn's understanding and enjoyment of letter writing, encourage him to choose different recipients such as family members, a friend, or even a fictional character. Create a fun mailbox or post box at home where he can 'send' his letters and receive replies, fostering a two-way communication experience. You could explore different letter formats – postcards, invitations, or thank-you notes – to widen his familiarity with writing purposes. Incorporate storytelling by asking Finn to write short letters about his day or a favorite event, which strengthens narrative skills and personal expression.
Book Recommendations
- Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell: A lift-the-flap book where children receive a letter from the zoo, perfect for understanding correspondence.
- The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg: A fun story that features letters and postcards sent to various fairy-tale characters, illustrating letter writing in a playful way.
- Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate: A gentle introduction to school and friendship that can inspire children to write letters to classmates or teachers.
Learning Standards
- English KS1 Writing: Use correct letter formation and basic sentence structures (National Curriculum for England, Year 1 Writing).
- English KS1 Speaking & Listening: Develop communication by expressing ideas clearly in written form (Year 1).
- PSHE: Enhancing social skills and empathy through letter writing to others.
Try This Next
- Create a worksheet with letter templates where Finn can practice writing greetings, body sentences, and closings.
- Set up a simple 'post office' role-play area with envelopes and paper to encourage imaginative letter writing.