Context-based learning

last updated:August 2009

We chose this case study because it focused on embedding learning in a real-life context, a local restaurant. The teacher leading the project believed a restaurant context would offer opportunities for non fiction writing of all types and also inspire the pupils. The aims of the project were to:

• expose the children to real life writing and to create enjoyment of writing
• revise text types for non fiction writing in a lively and inspiring way that would engage children in the build up to national tests, and 
• enable the children to write any type of text with confidence.
  

What did the children do?
The children undertook a number of activities, including:

• researching Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall and creating menus and advertising material for the restaurant
• writing letters about the food and service at another local restaurant which their teacher posted on a weblog that charted the whole project
• writing applications for jobs based on real vacancies on the Rick Stein restaurant website
• being interviewed for a job at the restaurant, and
• writing restaurant reviews for local newspapers and magazines.

What learning experiences did the teacher organise and present to her pupils?
The teacher used drama and role play before the pupils started writing as well as showing them what bad writing looked like. The pupils found it particularly helpful to see their teacher’s bad writing and then have a chance at improving it in a shared writing exercise. The teacher engaged pupils in 'reading the text type' and getting them to understand and identify language and organisational features of writing. The pupils were encouraged to use both formal and emotive language, identifying 'wow' words and phrases to use in their own writing. Using the weblog enabled the teacher to publish the children’s work online and gave other teachers and parents the opportunity to read what the pupils had written and provide feedback. 

How did the pupils benefit?
The project helped make the pupils enjoy learning and the quality of the children’s writing improved. For example: 'As I walked through the entrance the aroma-therapy awoke my senses. The restaurant has a big, orange sparkly glow and staff that are fast on their feet. Music plays softly in the background and is very calm and relaxing which makes the room fill with happy smiles' (Extract from a restaurant review)

Karen Garner, Year 6 Class Teacher & Literacy Coordinator
Shirley Warren Primary and Nursery, Cornwall
Write out to lunch!