ClaremontCrizzle Education
Back

Literacy Hour

Whole-class teaching

A typical Literacy Hour starts with shared text work. Children will be seated either on the floor or at their tables, so that they can all see the enlarged text, whiteboard or overhead projector screen. The teacher tells the children the aims of the lesson and might write them up for reference during the session. They can help to focus children's attention and can be expressed as targets for them to achieve. Over a two-week period, five sessions would be shared reading and the other five shared writing. The teacher models reading and writing strategies and teaches about particular types of text, using high-quality written texts as examples.
The whole-class teaching moves on to Word or Sentence level work. For example in Reception and Year 1 classes, this will focus on phonics teaching through interactive games and activities. In Years 2 to 6, there will be a balance of teaching on spelling and grammar over a two-week period. The Sentence level work may be part of a continuous 30-minute teaching sequence in which children investigate particular features of grammar and see these applied through shared writing.

Group or independent work

Depending on the objectives, the children may be given independent activities to work on arising from the whole-class teaching. These will involve the application of what they have been taught through practice and consolidation, or further investigation to extend their understanding. The teacher works with specific groups on guided reading or guided writing.

Whole-class plenary

Finally, the whole class comes together for a plenary session. The children have the chance to articulate their learning, eg. by reporting back to the class on an investigation and the conclusions they have reached. The teacher has an opportunity to clarify misunderstandings, consolidate teaching points, assess what the children have learned and give praise and encouragement. This time is a vital part of the lesson as a whole and should not be used for tidying up or collecting work.