This engaging resource focuses on teaching pupils how to write complex instructions using subordinating clauses, perfect for a unit on “How to Train Your Dragon”. Through a series of scaffolded lessons, pupils will learn to construct detailed, well-organized instructions for the Advanced Training and Flying phase of dragon training.
What’s Included?
Lesson 1: Matching Subordinating Clauses to Main Clauses
Pupils match given main clauses to appropriate subordinating clauses to form logical, complete instructions. This activity helps pupils understand the relationship between the two parts of a sentence.
Lesson 2: Adding a Subordinating Clause to a Main Clause
Pupils complete main clause openers by adding their own subordinating clauses, promoting creativity and sentence variety.
Lesson 3: Adding a Main Clause to a Subordinating Clause
Pupils construct main clauses to complete given subordinating clauses, encouraging them to think critically about logical sentence construction.
Writing Task: Pupils apply their skills by writing part of the instructions for the Advanced Training and Flying phase, integrating subordinating clauses into their work.
Supporting Resources:
Word Mat for Scaffold: A helpful tool featuring key vocabulary (e.g., subordinating conjunctions, time adverbs, topic-specific nouns) to support all learners, including SEN and lower ability pupils.
Word of the Day: Carefully chosen vocabulary (e.g., agility, stamina, maneuver) to enrich pupils’ language and connect to the topic meaningfully.
Why Use This Resource?
Builds confidence in writing complex sentences.
Encourages structured, creative, and descriptive writing.
Differentiated activities to support pupils of all abilities.
Promotes vocabulary growth through targeted words of the day.
This resource provides everything you need to teach advanced instruction writing in a fun, engaging way that supports progression for all pupils.
Description of the First Phase of Instructions
The first phase of instructions, Preparing for Dragon Training, introduces pupils to the topic of training a dragon by emphasizing the importance of preparation and setting a solid foundation for success. This phase focuses on helping pupils understand how to use modal verbs (e.g., “must,” “should,” “might”) to express necessity, possibility, and advice effectively in their writing.
To support pupils in constructing clear and engaging instructions, teachers will use dictated sentences to model the structure and vocabulary required. Pupils will listen, repeat, and adapt these sentences, ensuring they gain confidence in using modal verbs and instruction-focused language.
Word mats featuring thematic vocabulary (e.g., “equipment,” “trust,” “safe”) and modal verbs, along with scaffolds such as sentence starters and example phrases, will be provided to guide pupils through the writing process. These resources will help pupils create detailed and structured instructions, while also encouraging creativity as they describe how to prepare for the exciting task of dragon training.
Phase 2 – Teaching Basic Commands
In the second phase of the plan, Teaching Basic Commands, pupils will develop their instructional writing skills by focusing on structure, clarity, and precision. The key focus areas include:
Time Adverbs at the Start: Pupils will learn to use time adverbs (e.g., First, Next, Then, Finally) to sequence instructions logically and guide the reader step by step.
Adverbs to Describe the Verb: Pupils will enhance their sentences by including descriptive adverbs (e.g., gently, clearly, patiently) to provide detail about how actions should be performed.
Building on Modal Verbs: Following Phase 1, pupils will continue to explore modal verbs (e.g., must, should, could, might) to express necessity, possibility, and advice, applying them effectively in context.
To support all learners:
Word Mats: A word mat will be provided with key vocabulary, including modal verbs, time adverbs, and topic-specific nouns (e.g., commands, gestures, treats), to inspire ideas and improve writing fluency.
Scaffolded Activities: Lower ability and SEN pupils will benefit from structured tasks, such as matching sentence starters to appropriate endings or filling in gaps with adverbs and modal verbs. Sentence-building templates will also be provided to help create full instructions step by step.
Model Examples: Teachers will provide dictated sentences and model how to construct instructions using the features of this phase.
This phase encourages creativity while emphasizing accuracy and structure, equipping pupils with the tools to write detailed, engaging instructions for training their dragon. The inclusion of scaffolds ensures that all pupils can succeed while building confidence in their writing abilities.
SPAG work for any class from year 4-year 6
Covering:
Verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
Nouns
Conjunctions
Question marks
As well as year 3 and year 4 spelling practice
A week of lessons based on compound, complex and simple sentences.
Can be used for lower key stage 2 or with a lower ability upper key stage 2 class.
Includes:
Teaching slides
Write simple and complex sentences worksheet
Identify Compound sentences worksheet
To match independent clauses together to create compound sentences worksheet.
Write simple and compound sentences worksheet.
Write a range of sentences worksheet.
1 week of lesson plans
KS2 Literacy unit
Split your class in half or have one class against the other.
Focuses on:
Fronted adverbials
Generalisers
PEE argument structure
Rhetorical questions
Relative clauses
There is an oracy element to the unit as well where pupils practice saying their sentences and debate out loud.
Lesson structure:
WAGOLL and understanding what a debate is
Looking at graffiti and research
Practice using generalisers and fronted adverbials
Practice using rhetorical questions
Practice using relative clauses
Practice writing within a PEE format
Planning lesson with box up template
Widgit representations for:
spellings
sentence starters
Differentiation for B squared with picture orientated task where they need to replace some of the words with synonyms
Literacy: Newspaper activity based on the European football championships
Maths: Rounding, subtraction, multiplication and division word problems linked to the European football championships
Division code breaker activity
Long division maths plan