This is a 4 week unit of work that is based on the books 'Cracking Contraptions' by Wallace & Gromit and 'Until I Met Dudley' by Roger McGough (illustrated by Chris Riddell). The end piece of writing is an explanatory text that is based on an invention that the pupils have to design. This has always been a fantastic unit where pupil's are inspired to create a great explanatory text rich with technical language. There are lots of chances to link it with Science or Design & Technology work for circuits. The learning objectives for this unit of work are; Stage 1- Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes • To understand the purpose of an explanation text • To write an explanatory text • To find evidence of an author’s style • To explain how to do something in a clear and logical sequence • To identify main ideas drawn from more than one paragraph Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes • To find key features of an explanatory text • To write consistently in the present tense • To design a Cracking Contraption • To label a diagram • To write an opening statement • To label a diagram • To use causal conjunctions • To sequence in logical steps • To order an explanatory text correctly • To improve a given explanation text using time connectives • To write accurate titles for explanatory texts • To write complex sentences Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes • To create and label a Cracking Contraption • To write an explanatory text • To prepare a public presentation • To present clearly with good voice projection to an audience This unit of work uses the 3 stage planning process of: • Stimulate and generate • Capture, sift and sort • Create, refine and evaluate Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a great game to play in pairs or with the whole class. It really helps pupils to use persuasive language while improving their speaking and listening skills. They also love it. For Pairs You need 2 dice. The first player throws a dice for the horizontal and the second player throws a dice for vertical. You then choose who is for and who is against each statement. I usually choose the first round then the second round is chosen by whoever lost the first round and so on. Each pupil has to come up with the most reasons to support their side of the statement. The person with the most wins then you throw the dice again. For Whole Class You need 2 dice. The first player throws a dice for the horizontal and the second player throws a dice for vertical. You then choose who is for and who is against each statement. I usually choose the first round then the second round is chosen by whoever lost the first round and so on. The whole class decides, by raising hands, which was the most persuasive. It helps to limit the amount of time to say 1 minute each.

This is a 3-week unit of work which focuses upon writing a story poem about salmon on their run up stream where they need to avoid bears and eagles. I always teach this during my Raging Rivers unit as it fits so well in this topic. The text driver is a beautifully drawn book called ‘A River’ by Marc Martin. This unit focuses upon the key features of descriptive poetry such as; metaphors, personification, expanded noun phrases powerful adjectives and vivid language. It also exposes the pupils to a variety of different poets looking at their style and how they have used these key features. The end written piece is an opportunity to generate a great piece of writing as there is a well-structured plan to support your less able pupils. My class love this unit as they are engaged by the story of how brave the salmon are though some of the class always choose to write a poem where their salmon does not make it! I have included all the resources including worksheets, WAGOLL and displays so you can start using this straight away. The learning objectives for this unit are; Stimulate & Generate • To find the meaning of words • To organise paragraphs around a theme • To identify specific techniques, e.g. imagery, metaphor, personification, powerful adjectives and repetition • To read and perform a poem Capture, Sift and Sort • To recognise the key features of descriptive poetry • To use figurative language such as metaphor • To use figurative language such as personification • To retrieve and record information from non-fiction • To use vivid language to describe • To write expanded noun phrases Create, Refine and Evaluate • To plan and organise my ideas to effectively support my writing • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing x2 lessons • To perform poetry This unit of work uses the 3-stage planning process of: • Stimulate and Generate • Capture, Sift and Sort • Create, Refine and Evaluate Stimulate and Generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, Sift and Sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, Refine and Evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a 4 week unit of work that is based around Neil Gaiman’s ‘The Wolves in the Walls’ book. This is a challenging text, as it covers the issue of nightmares but it really engages the boys in my class. Neil Gaiman has a fantastic story telling ability (he also wrote Coraline). The end piece is designed to be a descriptive nightmare where the child experienced it learns what to do in their life after they wake up. This unit of work is targeted best at Year 4 - 6 pupils. I have included all the resources you need to start teaching this tomorrow. Below are all the learning objectives and resources included for the unit: Stage 1- Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes • To write a letter to a character in a book • To create a fantasy world • To select and retrieve key information • To discuss philosophical ideas • To find the meaning of words Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes • To find the key features descriptive writing • To write sentences using conjunctions • To find near synonyms • To write produce internally coherent paragraphs • To write sentences with embedded clauses • To write about all 5 senses • To use a fronted adverbial to explain how, when or where something took place • To write expanded noun phrases Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes • To plan my writing by discussing and recording ideas • To plan and organise my ideas to effectively support my writing • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing • To create illustrations for a piece of writing • To read my story to another pupil Resources Include: • 1 - Postcard from Lucy • 3 - Animals in Dreams • 3 - Animals in Dreams Reading Comprehension • 4 - Philosophical Questions • 5 – Reading • 5 – Wolves Word Mat • 6 - Key Features of Descriptive Writing • 8 – Shades of meaning • 10 - Embedded clauses • 11 - 5 Senses • 11 - Fantasy Pictures • 12 - Fronted Adverbials WT • 13 - Monk & Monkey Photos • 14 – Storyboard • 16 - Success Criteria • WAGOLL • PowerPoint LOs This unit of work uses the 3 stage planning process of: Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Acticitives can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a 3 week unit which is inspired by the great text Varmints by Helen Ward. The story is a lovely tale of nature dealing with the imposing expansion of man-made developments but finding a way to survive. The theme of the book is regeneration and natures battle to survive in a man-made world. I have taught this in my class and have really enjoyed the wide-ranging elements from looking at deforestation to creating a plausible follow up to the story. I have listed the learning objectives for all of the lessons below. Also, I have included all of the worksheets, PowerPoints, links and resources you will need to teach this unit straight away. Stage 1 - Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes *To compare a film version of a book *To write a character description of a varmint *To understand themes in a book *To identify specific techniques, explaining the effect on them as a reader *To discuss philosophical ideas *To take notes to summarise details *To debate an issue Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes *To use personification to describe objects *To describe using figurative language *To write expanded noun phrases *To use different conjunctions Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes *To plan an alternative ending *To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing *To write an alternative ending in the style of another author Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a 3 week unit of work which focuses upon writing a descriptive narrative for an astronaut who has landed on the planet Pandora. The end written piece is a descriptive narrative about an alien animal, that is a Hexapod, which the pupils get to create themselves. This unit has word level focuses, guided reading, expanded noun phrasing, variation of sentence types as well as how to structure paragraphs. Pupils really enjoy the creativity and wonder of Pandora as the video is very engaging. The end written piece is always amazing in my experience, as pupils are incredibly engaged by the stimulus of a video compared to the usual text that this unit provides. I have included all the resources including worksheets, WAGOLL and displays so you can start using this straight away. The learning objectives for this unit are; Stimulate & Generate • To learn the meaning of new vocabulary including technical vocabulary • To identify the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary • To Retrieve, Record & Present Information from Non- Fiction • To explain and discuss their understanding of what they have read • To describe using expanded noun phrases • To write a logbook entry as an astronaut Capture, Sift and Sort • To find the key features of descriptive writing • To write expanded noun phrases • To add embedded Clauses • To use conjunctions to link paragraphs • To vary sentence structure and type for effect • To write a paragraph with restrictions Create, Refine and Evaluate • To plan and organise my ideas to effectively support my writing • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing This unit of work uses the 3 stage planning process of: • Stimulate and Generate • Capture, Sift and Sort • Create, Refine and Evaluate Stimulate and Generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, Sift and Sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, Refine and Evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a short 2 week unit of work that focuses on improving word choices through improving adjectives and culminates in pupils writing then performing their own poem. The poem they are end up writing is based on the Sound Collector by Roger McGough but it requires pupils to think of tastes or how something feels instead of sound. This unit always engages the pupils and is a great end of half term unit as it fully engages the class. I have included every resource you need to teach this unit tomorrow. Also below I have listed all of the learning objectives from the unit of work. Stage 1- Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes • To learn and read a poem by heart. • To write about an Author’s style. • To perform a dramatic version of a poem. • To write a poem in another author’s style. Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes • To find the key features of a poem. • To write sentences with personification. • To write similes. Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes • To improve word choices by using thesauruses. • To write a Feel or Taste Collector poem. • To perform poetry. Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a fantastic whole book planned guided reading unit based on the book Song of the Dolphin by Elizabeth Laird. The story is based in a Scottish seaside town where a young boy discovers how plastic and balloons is endangering local dolphins. The story also has a mystery as his mother disappeared and is rumoured to be a selkie. The main character and his friends have to find a way to convince a local supermarket to not release thousands of balloons to save the local wildlife. I have included a variety of different guided reading formats to focus on word choices, retrieve key informing and summarising aspects of the text. The questions are designed to easily fit English books as I have adjusted the margins so they fit. I hope your class enjoys this book as much as mine have always done.

This is a 4 week unit of planning that produces a flashback recount from the time during the Lebanese civil war by a young girl called Ayesha. She has to brave the war zone to travel across enemy lines to find help for her sick granny by searching for medicine from a doctor. The story is fantastic and the writing produced as a result of it is even better. This text is best suited to Y4 and above as there are aspects of war such as loss (her mother dies after a shell hits their house) but the richness of the text has really engaged all my class and especially the boys. I have listed the learning objectives for all of the lessons below. Also I have included all of the worksheets, PowerPoints, links and resources you will need to teach this unit straight away. Stage 1- Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes • To write a flashback. • To find the meaning of words. • To retrieve and record information from text. • To take notes to summarise details. • To retrieve and record information from text. • To write a diary extract as a character from a story. • To retrieve and record information from text. Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes • To find the key features of a flashback. • To write expanded noun phrases. • To write similes using abstract nouns. • To find near synonyms of verbs. • To write in the past tense. • To write a descriptive setting. • To modify adjectives with adverbs. • To use a fronted adverbial to explain how, when or where something took place. Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes • To plan and organise my ideas to effectively support my writing. • To convey viewpoint by writing in role. • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing. • To convey viewpoint by writing in role. Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a fantastic resource I made for improving spelling during morning activities. There are 20 different 9 letter words which are placed in a wheel. One of the letters is put in the middle, which has to be used in every word. Pupils then try to make 3 letter or more words. I score it by allowing the pupils 5 minutes to find words. They get 9 points for the 9 letter word and 8 points for 8 letter words etc. Pupils read their word out and if no one else has got it they get the points. Everyone who gets the 9 letter word gets 9 points, even if someone else gets it too. Each slide has a clue what the 9 letter word is. The next slide always reveals what the 9 letter word is.

This is a 2 and a half week unit of work which focuses upon writing a persuasive letter to a famous footballer to stop them from releasing thousands of balloons when they open a supermarket. The main character is a boy called Finn who is trying to save the dolphins that swim near his Scottish seaside house. He discovers they eat them as they look like jellyfish and this can have very dangerous consequences. The unit is great for looking at plastic pollution in our seas and explores some interesting subjects as his Mum is rumoured to be a Selkie. The author is Elizabeth Laird and she writes very descriptive, funny and engaging stories that children love. The end written piece is an opportunity to generate a great piece of writing as there is a well-structured plan to support your less able pupils. My class have always loved this unit as the story is great and they get very interested in how they can improve awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans. I have included all the resources including worksheets and displays so you can start using this straight away. The learning objectives for this unit are; Stimulate & Generate • • To locate and retrieve information using skimming, scanning • To retrieve and record information from non-fiction • To discuss words and phrases that capture the reader’s interest and imagination • To draw sound inferences, supported through reference to the text • To identify how language, contribute to meaning • To identify key points of an argument • To make persuasive statements • To write a balanced argument • To write persuasive statements Capture, Sift and Sort • To find the key features of a persuasive letter • To use a variety of conjunctions • To write a cohesive paragraph • To write convincing conclusions Create, Refine and Evaluate • To plan a letter written as a character in a story • To write and edit a letter written as a character in a story This unit of work uses the 3-stage planning process of: • Stimulate and Generate • Capture, Sift and Sort • Create, Refine and Evaluate Stimulate and Generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, Sift and Sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, Refine and Evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is an adjectives word mat I have made to support the writing in my class. I have these on every table during lessons to encourage pupils to use new words and to check the spelling of words they want to use. They are in alphabetical order so pupils can find the word they want to write fast. The different sections include: • Positive feelings • Negative feelings • Size • People • Objects • Time

This is a word mat I made for my class to help them choose the correct conjunctions for their writing. The list includes: • Causal • Comparative • Coordinating • Explaining • Listing • Opposing • Subordinating • Time There is also an explanation which I stick on the back of the list as a reminder to the pupils what a conjunction is.

This is a 3 week unit of work that is aimed at a year 4 and 5 class. The 3 week unit builds the pupils skills through drama and targeted lessons to give them the skills to write an excellent newspaper article. I have included all the resources you need to teach this today. The pupils in my class have always loved this unit and have never failed to create outstanding pieces of work from it. For a great hook I have also been known to dress up as a gorilla and run through the school the first day of teaching this unit. The learning objectives for the unit are : • To write a newspaper report • To write common themes of the books of author Anthony Browne • To write a job description • To explore characters through role-play • To explore the characters feelings and motivations in the story • To raise questions for different audiences • To understand the features of newspapers reports • To identify the features of newspapers reports • To identify the author’s style and use of language • To use more descriptive verbs instead of using said • To identify the differences between direct and reported speech then to convert direct speech into reported speech • To write cohesive paragraphs • To plan the introduction to a newspaper article including writing a catchy headline • To draft and then write a newspaper article • To write a newspaper article This unit of work uses the 3 stage planning process of: • Stimulate and generate • Capture, sift and sort • Create, refine and evaluate Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a 3 week unit of planning that produces a fantastic descriptive narrative writing piece based on the beautiful picture book Leon and the Place Between. This is the story of a boy who gets whisked away during a magical trick at the circus to where magic exists. This unit always inspires some excellent creative writing as it so engaging. This text is best suited to lower KS2 but can easily be adapted to upper KS2. I have listed the learning objectives for all of the lessons below. Also I have included all of the worksheets, PowerPoints, links and resources you will need to teach this unit straight away. Stage 1- Stimulate & Generate learning outcomes • To be able to write in a form appropriate to the task • To engage with a text through its setting • To use expanded noun phrases to convey complicated information concisely • To be able to select vocabulary to create an impact on the reader • To identify different word classes in a text (e.g. verb, adjective, noun, adverb conjunction, pronoun & preposition Stage 2 - Capture, Sift & Sort learning outcomes • To modify sentences using a variety of word classes and adverbials • To write poetic sentences, using authorial techniques • To cohesively join sentences to build stanzas within poems • To make plausible inferences about a character’s emotions throughout a text Stage 3 - Create, Refine & Evaluate learning outcomes • To generate and select ideas relevant to the text • To sequence key events across a story • To write a descriptive narrative based on the style of an author I have read • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing • To revise, edit evaluate and improve my writing • To publish work for a given audience and purpose Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

Here is a great list of ideas for supporting creative writing. It is a list of 'twist in the tale' ideas that pupils can use to help them write an engaging story.

This is a fantastic whole book planned guided reading unit based on the book Oranges in No man’s Land by Elizabeth Laird. The story tells the struggles of a little brave girl called Ayesha during the civil war in Lebanon. I have planned a unit of work that has between 9 and 5 questions for each chapter (18 chapters in total). I have also included printer friendly pages where there are 4 copies of the questions on each page so it is easy to prepare for lessons. I have included all the answers too as this is a great time saver. The questions are designed to easily fit English books as I have adjusted the margins so they fit. I hope your class enjoys this book as much as mine have always done.

This is a 3 week unit of work that is based on the book ‘Ice Trap’ by Meredith Hooper. This book tells the amazing story of Ernest Shackleton’s epic attempt to be the first person to reach the south pole. When his ship, the Endurance, gets trapped in the ice his adventure turns into a battle to stay alive and fins a way to escape. My class love this gruesome and heroic story and always produce some amazing diary extracts as a character from the Endurance who suffered through this ordeal. This unit includes all of the worksheets, plans and PowerPoints to teach it today. The learning objectives for this unit of work are; • To write a diary extract • To ask questions and draw inferences to improve understanding • To draw inferences and make predictions using the text • To explore the themes of a book • To evaluate the author’s use of language for effect • To build background knowledge of a topic; gathering information and making notes • To explore the character’s feelings and emotions through drama • To identify different word classes • To establish the key features for successfully writing in role • To vary sentence openers to engage the reader • To use brackets, dashes and commas to indicate parenthesis • To understand the difference between colons and semi-colons and their use • To portray contrasting viewpoints effectively in my writing • To plan effectively for writing • To edit and publish writing for the chosen audience This unit of work uses the 3 stage planning process of: • Stimulate and generate • Capture, sift and sort • Create, refine and evaluate Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a 3-week unit which is based on the text ‘Roman Soldier’s Handbook’ by Lucia Fabricius Imperiosa. This is a graphically pleasing and informative book which my class have enjoyed reading during our Roman topic. The final piece that this unit produces is a historical information text based on an area of Roman life (that interest each pupil). Most times pupils are inspired to either write about the army, Gladiators or the sanitation! I have listed the learning objectives for all of the lessons below. Also, I have included all of the worksheets, PowerPoints, links and resources you will need to teach this unit straight away. Stage 1 - Stimulate and generate- Learning outcomes To gather information in note form To write an information text To find the meaning of words To retrieve and record information from text To gather information in note form To use notes to write an information text Stage 2 - Capture, Sift and Sort- Learning outcomes To find key features of an information text *To write in the third person *To know how to write in the past tense *To write using technical vocabulary *To write headings and sub-headings *To write captions *To retrieve and record facts from a variety of texts Stage 3 - Create refine evaluate- Learning outcomes *To plan an information text *Extended Writing - To write an information text *To publish an information text using digital media Stimulate and generate = This usually starts with a hook to interest the class where the class realise who they are going to write for so they have a clear purpose and audience. Activities can include reading excellent model texts, drama or researching more about the author or the content of the book. Capture, sift and sort = This is the part of the unit where pupils look at key features, practise skills they will need in order to complete the final piece or new learning for objectives they have not learnt yet. Create, refine, evaluate = This is where you bring all you have learnt together and plan the final piece before you write it and then edit it to improve the piece. This can include self, peer or teacher led reviewing.

This is a bundle of success criteria, that I use for the end of units. There is a column for both pupils and teachers as the expectation is pupils use the assessment tool to self assess their own work. The success criteria include: Biographies Descriptive Writing Diary Extracts Explanation Texts Instructions - Recipes Information Texts Newspaper Reports Non-Chronological Reports Persuasive Writing Play Scripts Poetry Poster - Advertisement Settings