A Roman slave witnesses the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Will he escape in time? A short narrative (2+ pages) which could be used for guided or shared reading or as a modelled text to teach a variety of objectives (see Teaching Points below). The story has dialogue which conveys character and advances the action of the story and includes informal contractions -key objectives for Year 6 pupils to meet ‘at expected’. Teaching Points GRAMMAR: past tenses; fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; 3rd person narration PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks STRUCTURE: chronological; paragraphing (opening, build-up, events, resolution); balance of action, dialogue and setting CONTENT & THEME: build up of suspense; historical fiction; character; figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration)

When Ludwig and Marta find a map in their new house’s cellar, they begin an adventure which takes them to a ruined castle and a terrifying crooked man! A long-ish quest / suspense narrative (8 pages) which could be used for guided or shared reading or as a modelled text to teach a variety of objectives (see Teaching Points below). There is a set of KS2 SAT style comprehension questions based on the text. Teaching Points: GRAMMAR: past tenses (including past perfect); fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; 3rd person narration PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks; ellipsis; colons and semi-colons STRUCTURE: paragraphing, including short paragraphs and sentences for dramatic effect; balance of action, dialogue and setting; repetition of phrases for effect CONTENT & THEME: quest, suspense narrative; character (villain, brother-sister); resolution with surprise; rhetorical questions; figurative language (simile, metaphor, alliteration)

Neil joins the queue for a shop selling the latest computer game… A short (2 page) narrative which could be used for guided or shared reading or as a modelled text to teach a variety of objectives (see Teaching Points below). Teaching Points: GRAMMAR: past tenses; fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; 3rd person narration PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks; brackets STRUCTURE: paragraphing, including short paragraphs and sentences for dramatic effect; balance of action, dialogue and setting CONTENT & THEME: build of excitement; character; resolution with surprise; question to the reader; figurative language (simile, metaphor)

Can Captain Ark and his crew stop Commander Skull from destroying the galaxy? The beginning of a science fiction (think Star Wars) narrative (2.5 pages) which could be used for guided or shared reading, as a modelled text or as an opening prompt for students to continue. Teaching Points: GRAMMAR: past tenses; fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; 3rd person narration PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks; brackets STRUCTURE: paragraphing, balance of action, dialogue and setting CONTENT & THEME: science-fiction; character (hero, villain); figurative language (simile)

Two police officers chase bank robbers across London… A short narrative (4+ pages) which could be used for guided or shared reading or as a modelled text to teach a variety of objectives (see Teaching Points below). It comes with a plan of the story using OBDER (opening, build-up, dilemma, events, resolution). The story uses flashbacks which might be useful for modelling ‘greater depth’ writing. Teaching Points: GRAMMAR: past tenses (including past perfect); fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; 3rd person narration; complex sentences PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks; semi colons STRUCTURE: paragraphing; short paragraphs and sentences for dramatic effect; balance of action, dialogue and setting; use of flashback; resolution links back to opening CONTENT & THEME: action, chase; character (police heroes, villains); figurative language (similes); geographical detail

During a dull school trip to an art gallery, the narrator sees one of the portraits being to move… A short narrative (2 pages) which could be used for guided or shared reading or as a modelled text. Teaching Points: GRAMMAR: past tenses; fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; connectives (contrast and time); relative clauses; first person narration; rhetorical questions PUNCTUATION: commas around clauses; exclamation and question marks; speech marks; ellipsis STRUCTURE: paragraphing (opening, build-up, events, resolution); balance of action, dialogue and setting CONTENT & THEME: stepping into another world; setting based opening; character (old lady in portrait); cliff-hanger ending; figurative language (similes)

After a heavy snowstorm, staff and students at a school have been forced to spend the night, entirely cut off from the outside world… Here are 5 texts which describe the experience: It’s Snowing!: a story describing the the reaction of students as the snow begins to fall at school. Night: a poem describing the atmosphere as students try to sleep in a classroom. A Search Party: a discussion text outlining arguments for and against sending out a search party to look for help. Expedition: an action story in which a search party attempt to brave the outside. Safe at Last!: a news report detailing the rescue of the staff and students. All brilliantly illustrated by Nick Hilditch These texts could be used in a variety of ways: exploring and comparing different text types or genres; texts for whole class or guided reading; the basis of reading comprehensions; modelled texts for students’ own writing. Language features: Narrative Writing: past tenses, including past perfect; fronted adverbials; adjectives and adverbs for descriptive detail; coherence; relative clauses; commas around clauses; semi-colons; colons; ellipsis; inverted commas; paragraphing, including short paragraphs and sentences for dramatic effect; balance of action, dialogue and setting; themes of adventure, rescue, overcoming fear; character description; figurative language (simile, metaphor). Poetry: metaphor; figurative language; personification; contrasts; patterns; alliteration; repetition. Discussion: formal writing; direct address; objectivity; quotations; sentence adverbs; punctuation range. News Report: layout; report structure; direct and reported speech; formal language.