PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL Book Work Standards and Presentation Guidelines

Rationale Parents, Carers and our community judge our school in many ways. This judgment

extends to the standard of bookwork and the overall presentation of student work in displays, projects etc. Too often, this is one of the primary ways upon which parents

and the community form their opinions. By setting consistent standards and expectations across the school, we can ensure the

continuity of instruction and clarity of expectations for our learners. This enables each successive teacher to build upon the foundations established in earlier grades.

Bookwork represents a record of student achievement across each of our key learning areas.

It is also essential that students are encouraged to develop good habits and take pride in their books. Recognition by teachers, of improvement in bookwork gives the

student great satisfaction and is a powerful incentive for future effort. This set of guidelines seeks to establish and embed high standards of bookwork throughout the school for all learners strive towards achieving and maintaining.

At Parkhurst State School, we value and promote a high standard of bookwork. By

developing a consistent set of expectations, students will develop continuity with their bookwork from Prep to Year Seven. High expectations and standards in this area keep the focus on quality work at all times and will ensure learners maintain acceptable

standards of neatness and pride in their work.

We accept the responsibility to educate our learners and their parents/carers about handwriting skills and acceptable standards of bookwork. This standard for Quality Bookwork was developed following analysis of samples of learners’ books throughout

the year levels. High quality samples examined shared a number of common characteristics.

At Parkhurst State School, we believe … − Students enter school with some pre handwriting abilities and experiences

− Students need time and opportunity to develop correct handwriting styles − Students need encouragement to develop correct handwriting style and bookwork

presentation − Students need the opportunity to present and display written work (including use

of technology) for different purposes and audiences

− Legible and fluent handwriting is essential for effective written communications − Presentation, neatness and fluency only partly constitute quality work

Whole School Expectations − All learners, staff, parents and carers know the bookwork expectations at

Parkhurst State School

− All learners take pride in their bookwork and presentation

− There is consistency evident throughout the school

− Bookwork is a significant demonstration of student achievement. Students and teachers should recognise this and strive for consistent, high standards in students'

written work.

− Encourage neat and correct handwriting.

− Encourage correct posture, grip and seating at all times

− Encourage learners to use the correct book at all times

− Ensure all learners have the necessary tools to complete bookwork effectively.

− Deliver a standardised method of setting out, marking and teaching.

Student Expectations 1. No graffiti or scribble is acceptable anywhere in books

2. Pages are not to be torn out. 3. Every page and every line is to be used here appropriate

4. All work is to be dated at the top of the page 5. The school’s editing code is to be used to correct errors 6. White Out or correction fluid is never to be used

7. Erasers may be used for pencil at discretion of the teacher 8. All Learners use lead pencils until issued with a ‘pen licence’ towards the middle

of Year Six. After that, blue pen is used for all writing. 9. Pencil continues to be used for map work and maths work at the teacher’s

discretion

10. Felt Pens and Textas are not to be used in books, but may be used on worksheets or artwork. Coloured pencils can be used in books.

11. Rule a 2 cm margin on the left handside in Day Pad, down the centre of the page in Maths Pad with no margins in Handwriting Books. A red pen may be used in Year Six when teachers deem learners to be ready

12. All exercise books and pads should be covered and named and must be kept neat with no graffiti or scribble on the cover.

13. Title or decorative pages at the beginning of an exercise book are at the teacher’s discretion. Only coloured pencils should be used

14. All labels in diagrams, maps, illustrations, etc are to be printed

15. Headings should be used where appropriate. 16. Use upper and lower case letters correctly

17. Reflect upon and apply suggestions for corrections made in teacher comments. Read and act positively upon comments by the teacher.

18. Ensure books are protected with covers (paper, contact, or class-made),

correctly labelled with full name, subject and class 19. To date each piece of work

20. To follow the school editing code 21. To ensure correct posture and pencil grip 22. To form letters correctly with consistent spacing, size, slope and alignment

23. To use all lines in a book unless specified by the teacher 24. To use red ballpoint or lead pencil with a ruler to underline all headings

25. To accurately measure and draw page layouts and borders 26. To use pages consecutively and completely unless specified by the teacher 27. To take pride in all work and put their best effort into their bookwork and

maintain high standards of presentation 28. To use textas, feltpens and highlighters as directed by the teacher

29. To progress from HB pencil to ballpoint by the end of Year Six 30. To ensure all pencils are sharp and of a suitable length to hold

31. If a learner forgets/looses their book, they should work neatly on a piece of paper and copy this into their book in their own time. This should be shown to the teacher the following day.

Handwriting Style − Prep to Year Two - Beginner’s Alphabet − Mid Year Two - Introduce exits and entries to Beginner’s Alphabet

− Year Three to Year Seven - Queensland Cursive − Year Seven – Queensland Cursive leading to the development of individual styles

Guidelines to Achieving High Quality Book Work 1. Learners need direction, they need to be trained to acquire a skill

2. Teachers should know exactly what he/she expects aligned to these Guidelines and should explicitly teach this to the learners

3. Teachers must know what is an acceptable standard for … ‐ the whole class ‐ the individual within the class

4. The standard that is acceptable may also vary from book to book. Teachers need to liaise and moderate with Neighbourhood colleagues and others to confirm that

their judgments are realistic 5. Expect and promote high standards of bookwork, providing regular practice from

the board to promote individual improvement

6. The teacher should train the students consistently in the method and standard that has been set out. The first few weeks of the school year are critical in

setting expected standards. 7. Standards are mainly individual and each learner should be encouraged to

improve his/her own work

8. By making standards explicit and consistent all learners can show their individuality and initiative and produce work of a high standard

9. Any weaknesses in formal writing ability can often be compensated by cleanliness and neatness of setting out

10. All learners appreciate recognition of effort, for example, teacher’s comments,

use of stamps, stars, stickers, merit points, scores etc. The Principal will also actively promote high quality work.

11. Corrections must be made in every learner’s book. Teachers should initial and date all work.

12. Teacher’s comments should be constructive and measured, assisting learners to

improve their work. Always remember workbooks are viewed by parents and carers regularly and often go home too.

13. Teacher’s own writing and setting out, on the whiteboard, on charts, posters, worksheets and in children’s books, should be of a high standard.

14. Formal handwriting lessons must a regular occurrence

‐ a minimum of 4 x 20 minute lessons per week in Prep to Year Three ‐ a minimum of 3 x 15 minute lessons per week in Years Four to Seven

15. Care must be taken, and adjustments made for children from interstate if a definite style of writing has already developed, especially for children beyond Year Four.

16. Promote correct posture, pencil grip, use of materials, and to share this with parents

17. Regularly check and correct bookwork regularly and ensure student understanding of editing codes and comments

18. Ensure children understand your comments in their books 19. Provide a variety of experiences for children to practise with a variety of

instruments and in a variety of contexts

20. Provide opportunities to share good bookwork, celebrating quality work through use of stickers, stamps, certificates, written comments for neatness, style and

presentation 21. Recognise the importance of word processing, desk top publications and

multimedia presentations as part of bookwork standards

22. Teach and model to these expectations 23. Positively encourage children to meet these expectations

24. Encourage and provide parent/carer access to workbooks

Parent/Carer Involvement 1. Encourage children to complete work carried out at home, supportive of this policy

2. Ensure all books are covered suitably

3. Provide children with the necessary classroom equipment as determined by the

Book List

4. Examine their child/ren’s book at least once per term.

5. Note the teacher’s comments, discuss and reinforce these with their child/ren

6. Check that their child/ren pack and return books and equipment to school ready for the next lesson.

7. Support their child/ren by providing a bag suitable to accommodate the child/ren’s

books comfortably.

Photocopied Worksheets and Black Line Masters The use of photocopied worksheets and reference material is a powerful teaching tool.

Photocopied sheets may be educationally justified to supplement children’s learning. They must never form the core of the teaching/learning process. The use of photocopied sheets does not promote explicit teaching by the Class Teacher. Teachers

should ask ‘What is the educational justification to use this photocopied worksheet’ and in today’s environment be prepared to justify their decision. If the worksheet is of

such value it should be neatly pasted into the child’s workbook. If the activity sheet only takes a few minutes to complete, then consideration must be given to its purpose.

Interactive Whiteboards The provision of interactive whiteboards throughout the school has provided all teachers an opportunity to enrich and add variety and interest to the teaching learning process and should drastically reduce photocopy requirements and reduce

our environmental footprint. Likewise, scanning documents and developing materials and resources can also be highly beneficial, particularly when revisiting.

Fonts The Beginner’s Alphabet and Queensland Cursive Fonts are available for use electronically to generate worksheets and other items.

Internal Monitoring These guidelines will be actively supported and encouraged by the Principal and Head of Curriculum, particularly the implementation of the strategies outlined. Classroom

‘Walk Throughs’ and visits by the Administration Team will focus on learner bookwork presentation. Teachers may also be requested to send learners who have demonstrated exemplary or noticeably improved samples of bookwork, to the Office

regularly for recognition. The types of books requested will vary to ensure that each child has the opportunity to showcase his/her work several times throughout the year

across a range of key learning areas.

The Administration Team will also … − Actively check the implementation of these guidelines throughout the school − Support the endeavour for individual improvement and excellence

− Actively reward learners for excellence and improvement in bookwork − Provide feedback to teachers regarding student achievement

− Provide support for teachers as observed/required and requested

Marking and Correction Expectations − Spelling and punctuation errors are to be circled.

− Incorrect word usage is to be underlined with a wavy line. − Missing letters or words to be indicated with an inverted "v"

− Marking should occur regularly in Numeracy, Literacy and Homework − Other learning areas may be less frequent but minimum of two per term. − Students should be given opportunities to self- or peer-assess using the same

format as the teachers below.

Marking Books – ‘Two Stars and One Wish’ At the end of each section of work that is marked, teachers need to give …

− Two Stars – two strengths of the piece of work. − A Wish – one improvement suggestion that needs to be made to raise attainment.

This could be in the form of a question so that students can carry out extra research.

Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar Throughout the section of work that is marked, use the following notation in the margin to highlight Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar corrections.

Spelling Error (S) ‒ Highlight subject specific key words.

‒ Students should be encouraged to correct their spelling

using a Dictionary

Grammar Error (G) ‒ Underline the words requiring correction

Punctuation Error (P) ‒ Circle the Punctuation that is required

New Paragraph (//) ‒ Indicate where a new paragraph is required

Always focus on general spelling and punctuation in the first two paragraphs. Increase the focus as children’s work improves in quality. Avoid more than five corrections per

page.

Self Correction by Students − Errors are to be corrected with a single, horizontal, ruled line.

− White out and ink rubbers are not to be used. − Pencil rubbers may be used when publishing.

Writing Implements Prep to Year Three ‐ Lead pencils in Exercise Books and Worksheets

‐ Coloured pencils in Exercise Books and Worksheets

‐ ‘Wind Ups’ in Exercise Books and Worksheets ‐ Feltpens/Textas for selected Worksheets and Art Works ‐ Crayons for Art Works

‐ Highlighter Pen on Worksheets

Year Four to Year Seven ‐ Lead pencils in Exercise Books and Worksheets

‐ Coloured pencils in Exercise Books and Worksheets ‐ Feltpens/Textas for selected Worksheets and Art

‐ Red Biros for correction of work in Exercise Books or Worksheets

‐ Highlighter Pen on Worksheets

Year Six and Seven ‐ Blue Biros in Exercise Books on achievement of Pen Licence

Reporting to Parents Bookwork is part of our accountability to parents and to the education of our students.

Please articulate our bookwork policy at your Parent/Teacher Night. All textbooks, worksheets and exercise books need to be marked regularly with appropriate

feedback to students. Student worksheets need to be stored in folders or books. Books will be collected regularly by stage supervisors and bookwork awards given. Occasionally, books may be sent home for parents and carers to view.

Book Standards and Presentation Guidelines English Day Pad − 2cm left handside Margin for Years 4 to 7

− Editing Code to be utilised

− Student Corrections made in lead/coloured pencil with small ticks. If incorrect it should be left blank, circled,

crossed or dotted, − Year 4 to 7 learners may use a red biro for corrections

Handwriting Pad − No margin required − Date work from Year Two − Rule off as work is completed

− Pencil only for all Year Levels

Mathematics

Grid Books or Exercise Books

− Fold columns before ruling

− Use an HB Pencil, unless directed by teacher − No margins

− Student corrections should be made in coloured or lead pencil with small ticks

− If incorrect it should be left blank, circled, crossed or

dotted)

Visual Art

− Each work sample should be dated and signed

− All piecework are valuable and should be treated as such

− All art works should be either trimmed and glued into appropriate book, mounted on card, framed or

collated into a folder and taken home regularly − Art works should never be thrown away or disposed of − Include full name, date and class in ballpoint or lead

pencil in a corner on the back.

Book Work Protocols Style − Beginner’s Alphabet - Prep to Year Two

− Queensland Cursive – Year Three to Seven

Date − At the beginning of each new work for Year Two and above

inside the margin. Example 23/01/2012

Title − At top of the page or each new section underlined or as

specified by the teacher for students in Years Two and above.

− Students to leave a line then commence work in this section.

Margin − Standard ruler width, or measured 2cm, from the top

horizontal line to the bottom ruled horizontal line.

− No margin required in Prep and Year One

− Year Two Margin gradually introduced with a single vertical

line

− Year Three/Four Margin ruled in pencil vertical plus horizontal

top and bottom of page

− Years 5/6/7 Margin Vertical, top and bottom ruled in red biro

Border − Accurately measured and ruled

Underlining − All underlining will be done with a ruler and pencil to Year Four or a red biro from Years Four to Seven, including

Mathematics.

Pages − Used consecutively and completely, unless specified by the

teacher.

Work Completed − Students are to leave a single blank line and then rule off,

with the rest of the page to be used, unless specified by the teacher.

Errors − Corrected with a single ruled line (Year 5 - 6), or eraser for

pencil work (all stages).

− No White Out, correction fluid or tape is to be used for any reason

Textas or Felt Pens

− To be used guardedly in books as directed by the teacher,

preferably for outlining use only.

Book Covers − All Exercise books should be covered

− If graffiti appears on uncovered books, it should be sent home

for covering

− Cover to include …

− Student Name

− Class

− Learning Area/Subject

− Teacher Name

Worksheets and

Blackline Masters

− Black line Masters and photocopied worksheets need to be

retained in student exercise books, display books or

scapbooks

− These must be neatly trimmed and attached using a minimum

of glue. When fixed in book not to protrude from book.

Graffiti − No graffiti, scribbles, messy crossing outs or drawings to be

on covers or inside of books.

− All rulers, pencil cases, items of equipment and resources will be free of graffiti.

− Consequences are in place for such behaviours

Teacher Correction

− Evidence of teacher sighting and correction should be clearly

visible on each page of a learner’s work in English and Mathematics.

− This may take the form of a tick, comment, initials, sticker,

stamp etc.

Student Corrections

− Students need to be familiar with appropriate size and style of ticks, signatures (initials), conferencing and acceptable

comments to be placed in books.

− This will be a gradual process and can be taught from as early

as Prep

Parent/Carer Involvement

− English and Mathematics books should be shared at least once per term, either by going home over a weekend or having

available for parents and carers to peruse

− Parent comments should be sought

− If book not returned, learners should use paper until book I

returned

− Contact parent if necessary.

Appendix One – Alphabet Frieze

Appendix Two – Handwriting Slope (Left Handed)

Appendix Three – Handwriting Slope (Right Handed)

Appendix Four – Editing and Proofreading Checklists

PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL

Editing Codes and Symbols

This is a spelling mistake

Make this a capital letter

There should be a punctuation mark

Add a word here

Move these words to where the arrow is

This should be a new paragraph

PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL

Proofreading Checklist

Have I …

���� Read through my work to make sure it makes sense ?

���� Checked my spelling and circled those I am unsure of ? ���� Added more words to make my writing more interesting ?

���� Checked for capitals ? ���� Checked for commas ?

���� Checked for full stops ? ���� Checked for question marks ?

���� Deleted unnecessary words ? ���� Left anything out ?

���� Checked for speech marks ? ���� Checked for exclamation marks ?

���� Is this my best effort ?

Appendix Five – Pen Licence

PARKHURST STATE SCHOOL Pen Licence

This is to certify that Henry Harmer

has consistently displayed excellent work with

the pen and is now fully entitled to work in ink

Officially endorsed by your

Teacher and the Pen Inspector

Class Teacher

Lyle Walker Principal

Date of Issue ___/___/2012

Conditions

1. This licence maybe cancelled at anytime if writing deteriorates 2. The recipient displays neat Queensland Cursive at all times

3. The recipient uses Queensland Cursive in all books and worksheets 4. The recipient forms all letters and numerals correctly

5. The recipient consistently starts, finishes and joins all lower case and upper cases letters correctly

6. The recipient correctly places all letters accurately on the lines 7. The recipient correctly uses Beginner’s Alphabet as required

8. The recipient always uses correct spaces between letters and words 9. The recipient consistently writes smoothly and fluently

10. The recipient uses pen appropriately and manages errors correctly

Appendix Six – Posture and Pencil Grip

Appendix Seven – Pencil Grip and Posture