What is it?

VCOP stands for Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers and Punctuation. It is a daily literacy plan
which consists of short, fun oral activities (10 minutes) designed to improve student confidence
and ability in writing.
At the conclusion of the week, students engage in an extended writing activity (big writing) to
implement knowledge gained in the daily sessions these may be linked to the text type being
taught in class.

Wee

V = Vocabulary

C = Connectives

O= Openers

P = Punctuation

Students are introduced

to new WOW words and
are encouraged to
select exciting,
challenging and
different phrases in
their writing.

Powerful connectives
are taught and
displayed in the
classroom. Students are
encouraged to use
these to improve their
sentence structure.

Students are
encouraged to use more
interesting sentence
openers, with a focus is
on using ly words to
start sentences, e.g.
Carefully she opened..

Students have an
intensive focus on
correctly using
punctuation in writing.
They are encouraged to
edit their own work and
vary punctuation.

Vocabulary

Connectives

Openers

Punctuation

BIG Writing

k
2

Introduction to
vocabulary
WOW word: ambitious

Introduction to
connectives
Which is the best
connective: before or
because?
Extension: Trapped (ICT)

Introduction to
openers
Write a sentence to go
with the picture using
the opener quickly.

Introduction to
punctuation.
Label the
punctuation.
Extension: Trapped
(ICT)
Kung-Fu Punctuation
Dr Punctuation: Cure
the sentence by
rewriting it with
correct punctuation.

Dolphin and Cow

picture prompt.
Discuss and write
the story of this
unlikely
friendship.

WOW word: beautiful

Vocabulary activity:
describe a banana

Which is the best

connective: before or
because?
Write a sentence about
the picture (coloured
giraffe) using because.

Using how starters.

Write a sentence to go
with the pictures using
the openers: slowly,
playfully

Magical Veggie
Balloon picture
prompt. Discuss
and write the
story of their
adventure.

WOW word: gigantic

Vocabulary activity:
Write a sentence using
the words cat,
necklace, fish.

Which is the best

connective:
but or so?
Write a sentence about
the picture (funfair)
using either but or so as
a connective.

Using ing starters.

Write a sentence to go
with the picture, using
an ing word to start,
e.g. Reading intently,
Sarah didnt notice
her Mum calling her
for dinner.

Kung-Fu Punctuation
Dr Punctuation: Cure
the sentence by
rewriting it with
correct punctuation.

Watch The Girl

with the Yellow
Bag on YouTube.
Discuss the
magical
properties of the
yellow bag. Write
a story about a
magical object.

WOW word: fierce

Vocabulary activity:
Write a sentence using
three nouns. Renovate

Which is the best

connective:
but or so?
Write a sentence about

Using description
starters. Write a
sentence to go with
the picture, using a

Kung-Fu Punctuation
Statement or
question: add either
a full stop or a

You are a scientist

who has just
discovered a new
planet. Write a

this sentence
challenge.

the picture (dogs at

beach) using either but
or so as a connective.

description to start,
e.g. The large, black
cow enjoyed eating
grass in the meadow.

question mark to the

given sentences.

paragraph
describing this
new planet.

WOW word: growl

Vocabulary activity:
antonyms/synonyms +
alternate words for
nice.
Renovate this sentence
challenge.

Which is the best

connective: before or
because?
Write a sentence about
the picture (coloured
giraffe) using and.

Using where starters.

Write a sentence to go
with the picture, using
a where starter, e.g.
On a lonely, tropical
island there lived a
mad scientist.

Kung-Fu Punctuation
Elephant and
Introducing
Baby
exclamation marks.
Discuss and write
Add either a full stop, a story using the
question mark or
picture as prompt.
exclamation mark to
the given sentences.

WOW word: offend

(ICT)
Vocabulary activity:
Using adverbs.
Describe the monster
creeping up on the boy.

Write three sentences

using the connectives:
because, so, if
Write a sentence about
the picture (coloured
giraffe) using then.

Using ed starters.
Write a sentence to go
with the picture, using
an ed word to start,
e.g.

Kung-Fu Punctuation
Using commas to
separate items in a
list.

Jennys secret
Discuss and write
a story using the
picture as prompt
and story starter.

WOW word: magic

Vocabulary activity:
Create a word list and
tally points.
Elephant description
*May also want to
discuss alternate words
for said

Match the correct

connective.
Use a connective to
write a sentence that
includes these three
ideas: pig, chocolate,
France

Alliteration as an
opener.
The sneaky, slithering
snake slithered into
the room.

Kung-Fu Punctuation
Direct speech
adding speech marks
to text.

A Cloudy Lesson
Watch the
animation and
discuss. Students
write the story,
trying to include
some direct
speech.

Outcomes:
EN1-2A: plans, composes and reviews a small range of simple texts for a variety of purposes on familiar topics for known
readers and viewers
EN1-5A: uses a variety of strategies, including knowledge of sight words and lettersound correspondences, to spell familiar
words
EN1-7B: identifies how language use in their own writing differs according to their purpose, audience and subject matter
EN1-8B: recognises that there are different kinds of texts when reading and viewing and shows an awareness of purpose,
audience and subject matter
EN1-9B: uses basic grammatical features, punctuation conventions and vocabulary appropriate to the type of text when
responding to and composing texts
EN1-10C: thinks imaginatively and creatively about familiar topics, ideas and texts when responding to and composing texts
EN1-11D: responds to and composes a range of texts about familiar aspects of the world and their own experiences