A lesson on identifying features of a setting description. This lesson is Lesson 1 in my 2-week unit where children are writing their own setting description. This was taught as a standalone unit. Aimed at a Year 4/5 class. In this lesson, children are reading a setting description of the Taj Mahal and then using coloured pencils/highlighters to annotate the passage and find the grammatical features within the text). The text contains alliteration, expanded noun phrases, similies, adverbs, prepositions and relative clauses. Learning Objective: To be able to understand the features of a good setting description. There is no lesson plan included, only the activities and presentation. This is so that you can adapt the lesson and plan using your own schools format. The example setting description for the Taj Mahal (and used in this lesson bundle) is available for free download here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12460446

This is a prepositions lesson/activity themed around the story of Beowulf. I used this spag activity as part of a larger writing unit, where children were retelling the story of Beowulf. Ideal for Year 3/4. Differentiation: the higher achievers were expected to write more sentences including prepositions and extend them using conjunctions and other grammatical devices we had been learning about.

A lesson and activity on identifying and using parenthesis, themed to a diary writing unit based around the book Kensuke’s Kingdom. Ideal to fit as part of a book unit or as a revision session. Ideal for a Year 5 or Year 6 class. The whole class use the same activity sheet with differentiation inside the paragraph and based on finding and using parenthesis, with just brackets, and then moving onto using commas and dashes. I found the higher ability children found most of the parenthesis in the paragraph within the given time. Children need 2 coloured pencils for the activity - one colour to highlight any parenthesis they think they have found (before learning about it) and another to highlight parenthesis after learning about it (and during whole class feedback). There is also links to a song and the BBC Supermovers clip to ensure an active lesson. Powerpoint and word document included so you can edit for your use case.

This two-way differentiated activity is aimed at Year 4 or 5. Children will add speech marks and punctuation to the sentences when the reporting phrase is at the beginning, in the middle of and at the end of the sentence. The activity is themed around the story of Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo and I have used this several times as part of a spag lesson. As an extension task, the children are invited to use their own knowledge of Beowulf to write their own speech. This could be used as part of a newspaper article or creative writing unit. The activity is differentiated 2 ways, with the LA children completing this with support from an adult.

A simple starter where children are finding and identifying adverbs. The paragraph is based around the story of Beowulf by Michael Morpurgo. I have used this as a starter activity, revision and as part of a main lesson in Year 4, 5 and 6.

A model setting description of the Taj Mahal in India. I used this with a Year 4/5 class as part of the topic Around the World in 80 days. Fully editable word document so you can customise for your own class. The writing unit that links with this description is available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12641568

A couple of diary entries that could be used to identify features of diary entries or as a what a good one looks like. They are written from Michael’s point of view from the book Kensuke’s Kingdom. You could also use the diaries as part of an ‘around the world’ topic. There are 2 diary entries: the first was written as a whole class writing activity; the second was written as a good example that the children could then use to highlight good aspects and things to improve on. I’ve used these with a Year 4 and 5 class. I have also uploaded a editable version so that you can adapt/change if you wish to do so. If you found this resource useful or if you have any questions please email me at: mrg2246 (at) outlook.com

Blank storyboard for you to use with anything you wish! Save the time making one and use this one! Both word documents and pdfs available. The pdf will easily print onto A3 to give children more writing space. I used this to make a TV advert - something the children really enjoyed.

Children would act as detectives to find and highlight the examples of parenthesis in the short story. I typically used this with Year 5, but could also be used within Year 6 as a SATs revision activity. I use this as part of a spag lesson. Children would act as detectives to find and highlight the examples of parenthesis at the start of the lesson. Then I would explain what parenthesis is and ask for examples from the story. The children would then have another look and highlight any new examples in a different colour. The text could also be used as a morning task, starter or revision activity. I also use BBC Supermovers in conjunction with this activity. I have uploaded a word document and pdf so you can easily edit and adapt if the text if you wish to. Powerpoint also included.

Children act as detectives to find the adverbs in the short story. It is aimed at Year 4 and contains the different type of adverbs - perfect for a spag lesson or starter! I used this as part of a spag lesson. Children act as detectives would find and highlight the adverbs at the start of the lesson. Then I would explain what adverbs are and examples from the paragraph. The children would then have another look and highlight any new words in a different colour. The text could also be used as a morning task, starter or revision activity. I have uploaded a word document and pdf so you can easily edit and adapt if the text if you wish to. I have similiar activities on other areas of spag - please see my shop.