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.
A three week KS2 writing unit with a powerful environmental theme. All lesson plans, PowerPoints and activitiy resources included - it’s ready to go. Pupils explore a one-sided argument about fossil fuels, and then create their own persuasive writing about food waste. Turn your class into eco-heroes! Teach children about persuasive devices, and encourage them to use these skills to make a positive change.
I used this project in Y4, but it could be quickly adapted for any KS2 class - all resources are fully editable.
If you buy this resource, ignore the preview images (these are just png screen shots) and open the zip folder. Inside this folder, you will find full versions of all plans, presentations and tasks, organised into lesson-by-lesson folders for ease of use.
Please also see my new ‘climate change’ unit, Waste Monsters, aimed at upper KS2.
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12966461
This is a fully planned, fully resourced 3 week narrative unit. It has been designed to enable Year 6 writers to produce ARE and possibly greater depth writing. All docs have been created on Word and PowerPoint so you can adapt it as you wish.
The unit is driven by chapter three of ‘The Explorer’. Children spend time getting to know ‘The Den’ before creating their own survival stories. If you have an opportunity to do some den building, this unit really comes to life. If this is not possible, you could design dens or create model dens. There are den building resources included.
By the end of the unit, children will have produced some extended narrative writing after many short bursts of preparatory writing. But more than that, everyone will have a lot of fun too - the plan is packed with games and creative activities (‘Three words only’, ‘Would I lie to you?’, ‘Knights, riders and dancers’, ‘Survival Quiz’ and many more…).
Everything is oraganised into lesson-by-lesson folders for ease of use. If you buy this unit, ignore the PNG files which have been used to preview parts of the unit. Instead, find the zip folder that contains all of the resources in full. Enjoy!
A fully resourced, fifteen session writing unit with a powerful climate change theme. It is pitched at upper KS2 and has a focus on sentence variety. Children explore the text ‘Planet SOS’ by Marie G Rhode, which describes a series of waste monsters and how to defeat them. This unit looks closely at the E-waste Golem.
Children explore the grammatical features of the text, and then compose a piece of work that demonstrates a similar range of sentences. As the unit progresses, children learn about waste - a contributor to climate change - and how we can reduce the problem.
During the unit, children will combine a monster with a type of damaging waste - there are three of each to pick from. Children create unique pieces of writing that explain the causes of a particular waste issue and persuade the reader to the think carefully about the impact of throwing things away.
For the final outcome, children will create destructive waste monsters, and then give the reader useful guidance on how to defeat them. At the end of the project, artwork (optional!) and writing could be combined to create a class book of waste monsters. Absolute everything you need is in the zip folder. Enjoy!
What type of writing is this?
Like lots of modern information books, Planet SOS does not fit neatly into one genre.
• The text has many of features of explanation writing: the author explains how waste is created and how it can be reduced.
• It also has persuasive features: the reader may be persuaded to combat the monster and reduce waste.
• The text has features typical of non-fiction, information writing: each page is packed with information about waste and mythical creatures.
• There are also elements of fiction writing: types of waste are personified as a series of mythical monsters.
Summary of objectives
Reading and vocabulary
• I can use drama to develop my vocabulary and communication skills
• I can show understanding through tone, volume and action
• I can look for key words and find information (in non-fiction texts)
• I can explain the impact of using second person point of view
Grammar
• I can use a colon to introduce a list (when the clause before the list is independent)
• I can use dashes to interrupt a sentence and add information
• I can write multi-clause sentences
• I can use the future perfect tense
• I can use a relative clause to add information about a noun
• I can write a conditional sentence
• I can identify different sentence structures
Planning and composition
• I can grow my knowledge by reading and researching
• I can write using second person point of view
• I can include a range of sentences in my writing
• I can assess and improve my writing with a partner
Quiz, Quiz, Trade is a fun and active way for children to learn facts. The cards can be tailored to cover any subject area, topic or learning objective and are particularly useful for introducing a new subject area that your class wouldn't already know lots about. You could include a range of differentiated questions, but I have often found that the children you least expect will learn the more complicated facts after playing this game.
The idea behind Quiz, Quiz, Trade is that it is a fun, non-threatening and exciting game that is inclusive for all and will help all children in your class to acquire knowledge quickly. Really handy when you just need them to have a bit of background knowledge or learn something quickly in order to apply or develop the knowledge in their work. Quiz, Quiz, Trade can be used for any age group (my cards are all aimed at years 4-6) that will be able to read the questions and answers.
I have used Quiz, Quiz, Trade in observations with much success (see instruction page) and consistently use it to introduce new topics in class-the children love it!