It's simple really: English grammar can be a very dry subject, but this need not be the case. For a few years now, I have been developing a games-based approach to teaching important grammar concepts. It is amazing how the introduction of dice takes the learning into a new place - the element of chance making it seem less like work and more like play. Because I test my games extensively in the classroom, I get a feel for what works. Dump your boring worksheets and start dicing with grammar.
It's simple really: English grammar can be a very dry subject, but this need not be the case. For a few years now, I have been developing a games-based approach to teaching important grammar concepts. It is amazing how the introduction of dice takes the learning into a new place - the element of chance making it seem less like work and more like play. Because I test my games extensively in the classroom, I get a feel for what works. Dump your boring worksheets and start dicing with grammar.
This resource is six activities linked to the text. They are ready for children to pick up and use independently.
Defining and reusing tricky words from the text
Picking out the key features of a fable from the text (and from ‘The Promise’)
Adding fronted adverbials to sentences from the text
Grouping synonyms to create a word bank for fable writing
I can plan a fable of my own
I can write a fable of my own
A fully resourced, three week, Year 6 writing unit based on chapter 14 of ‘Number the Stars’ by Lois Lowry. This unit links beautifully with history learning, World War 2. If children a familiar with the story of Anne Frank, this text provides another example of what was happening in Europe in the final years of the WW2.
All planning, slides and activities are included - no extra work necessary.
Outcome
After looking closely at chapter 14 of Number the Stars, children write their own suspenseful, historical story about a child who has to take a mysterious and important package on a dangerous journey.
**The following objectives are comprehensively covered: **
Grammar skills
• Use a parenthesis (a single dash) to add an afterthought
• Use short sentences to create suspense
• Use expanded noun phrases to add descriptive detail
• Personify nouns
Composition
• Develop a historical character
• Build atmosphere and create contrasting settings
• Apply an understanding of the key features of historical stories and suspense writing
• Plan a story using a familiar structure to support
Reading and Vocabulary
• Explore unfamiliar vocabulary in context
• Develop reading fluency skills
• Retrieve information and infer meaning
• Retell a traditional story
• Identify the key features of historical stories and suspense writing
This is a 14 session biography writing unit for upper KS2. Children explore the life of Anne Frank - supporting history learning about WW2 - and then go on to choose one of four other people who SHOOK THE WORLD while they were young (Boyan Slat, Greta Thunberg, Pele or Marley Dias). After learning new writing skills, children write a biography about their chosen subject.
If you purchase this unit, please open the youthquake biography zip file. Each of the 14 lessons is organised into its own subfolder. All lesson plans, lesson slides and activities are included - it’s ready to go. Everything is created in PowerPoint and Word, so you can edit and adapt as you wish. The png files you can see in the previews are just there to give a taste of the first few lessons.
Your class will enjoy learning about biographies and creating a YOUTHQUAKE!
Throughout this unit, I would recommend reading children selected biographies from YouthQuake: 50 Children and Young People Who Shook the World by Tom Adams & Sarah Walsh.