Literacy is a core subject and is vital in ensuring children can communicate effectively.

Children at Rookery have rich, exceptional experiences and they investigate and communicate their learning to others using the skills they are taught in the literacy curriculum.

There are different strands to the Literacy curriculum:

Speaking and listening underpin the whole English curriculum.
They are developed through practical activities and drama teaching.

 

Mantle of the Expert is an approach which uses dramatic techniques to engage children's imaginations and interest. It can be used to teach all areas of the curriculum.

Children at Rookery have been:

Trackers who are responsible for researching countries Barnaby Bear needs to visit:

Bone Experts at The Natural History Museum

Curators at Museums set up in classrooms

Managers of animal sanctuaries

Accountants for a museum café

 

Mouseover thumbnails to enlarge images
Working as 'Educare' - helping make learning fun Working as 'Educare' - helping make learning fun		Creating the 'Educare' company logo Creating the 'Educare' company logo		Following a nature trail Following a nature trail		Going on a bear hunt at Bell Heath Going on a bear hunt at Bell Heath

 

The approach gives authentic contexts in which children can develop and apply subject skills. It is especially effective at developing key speaking and listening and team work skills. The children are cast as experts in a field and so are expected to work together confidently to tackle problems that are posed. These can be presented to the children by the teacher in role or received as phone messages, emails or even parcels, maps and clues.

Many of the staff have received expert training and some have presented case studies of their work at a National Mantle of the Expert conference.

Speaking and listening, reading and writing are linked to each other and to the rest of the curriculum. Children have access to a wide range of reading materials including books from the reading scheme and books borrowed from our well-stocked library.

 

We have a well stocked, newly refurbished library. Children use the library for some of their lessons. It is also open at lunchtimes when children can borrow books as well as use our new computer based management system Junior Librarian.net where children can browse our library via the Internet both in school and at home. Using this programme they can search for their favourite authors, contribute book reviews and play book-based games.

Handwriting is taught in order that children can communicate fluently and effectively. We use an exciting interactive whiteboard based scheme called Pen Pals for Handwriting.

 

Gifted and talented writers are entered into the BRITS writer's awards. This is a writing competition with an awards ceremony similar to the music awards ceremony. They will be working with our Artists in Residence, Annamation this year. We are hopeful that they will be entered into the young storytellers competition.

 

Children in this team are our media geniuses. They film assemblies and events and are our official photographers. Currently they are putting together a filmed school prospectus. Watch this space!