Big Write

What is Big Write? 

Big writing is a way of teaching writing, based on the research of Ros Wilson. Big Writing focuses on four main aspects of the writing process (VCOP) and gives the children the skills to improve their writing through self-assessment.

What does VCOP stand for?

V- is for vocabulary (ambitious ‘WOW’ words) and children are encouraged to widen their use of language to make their writing richer. In the classroom, new and expressive words are collected and shared.

C - is for connectives (joining words) such as and, because, so, besides, although, however, but etc. This makes writing more cohesive and interesting.

O - s for openers (opening your sentences in a variety of ways). Varying the way you open sentences makes them more engaging to read. There are three main ways of opening sentences – using connectives and words ending in ‘ly’ and ing’. Another way includes starting a sentence with a word ending in ‘ed’.

P - is for punctuation – correctly using punctuation appropriate for age or level. Children are taught the names of the different punctuation and they learn how to use them to ‘up level’ their writing.

Here are some ways in which you can help your child at home with their writing:

• Talk! Talk! Talk! – ask children to describe anything and ever thing.
• Write! Write! Write! – encourage them to write letters, a diary, email friends and family, send postcards, make lists, play vocabulary games, write stories and illustrate them.
• Take the opportunity to comment on interesting use of VCOP when reading with your child.
• Use a dictionary or a thesaurus to find interesting words to use.
• Encourage children to think about how to improve work completed at home through use of VCOP.
• Be prepared to explain new words to your child and give examples of how to use them.
• Read often and widely with your child.
• Encourage children to use phrases or words seen in a book in their own writing.
• Take it in turns to tell a story. One person starts it, the other says what happens next etc
• Look at a picture or photo and describe it; use it to tell a story.