National Curriculum

Key Stage 1

Speaking & Listening - Knowledge, skills and understanding

As all our sessions are interactive children are actively encouraged to speak confidently and listen to what others have to say. Through interaction with professional storytellers they are encouraged to read and write independently and with enthusiasm.

During our Interactive Storytelling sessions the children use language to explore their own experiences and imaginary worlds. During problem solving situations pupils learn to speak clearly, thinking about the needs of their listeners. They work in small groups and as a class, joining in discussions and making relevant points. They also learn how to listen carefully to what other people are saying, so that they can remember the main points. They learn to use language in imaginative ways and express their ideas and feelings when working in role and in drama activities.

During Key Stage 1, pupils should be taught the knowledge, skills and understanding of speaking and listening through the following range of activities, contexts and purposes.

Speaking

The range should include: telling stories, real and imagined, reading aloud and reciting, describing events and experiences and speaking to different people, including friends, the class, teachers and other adults.

Listening

The range should include opportunities for pupils to listen to each other, listen to adults giving detailed explanations and presentations [for example, describing how a model works, reading aloud], listen to recordings [for example, radio, television] .

Group discussion and interaction

The range of purposes should include: making plans and investigating, sharing ideas and experiences and commenting and reporting.

Drama activities

The range should include: working in role, presenting drama and stories to others [for example, telling a story through tableaux or using a narrator] and responding to performances.