Real Writing Year 5 - Unit 23
How Odin Created the World, by Jon Mayhew
Curriculum links: The Vikings, Norse mythology; Mayan civilisation; Ancient Egyptians; R.E.
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 5 is built around an original model text by Jon Mayhew - a retelling of a Norse myth explaining how Odin created the world. The example text is available as a PDF in three versions (plain, illustrated and annotated); annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations are also included.
In this two-week unit, pupils will learn how to structure and write a creation story. They will look at the etymology of words and the use of dialogue as part of a narrative, then investigate and write their own versions of creation stories, which could link to topics on the Mayan civilisation, Ancient Egyptians or link with work in Religious Education.
Key curriculum skills
Two fully-resourced lessons are included for the following Year 5 English objectives, which can form part of the unit or be taught discretely:
1. Vocabulary - To explore etymology of words (looking at words with Viking origin)
Pupils will: Practise using a dictionary to find definitions; understand the Norse origin of various words in English; use a dictionary to investigate etymology; use words with a Norse origin in a piece of writing.
2. Composition - To use dialogue to convey character and advance action
Pupils will: Revisit the use of alternative words for ‘said’; explore how adding adverbs can enhance written dialogue in KS2; explain how particular adverbs affect meaning; rewrite sentences using appropriate adverbs; write a paragraph using dialogue to convey character and advance action.
Additional skills to teach or revisit
- using paragraphs to organise ideas
- punctuating direct speech
- using fronted adverbials
Additional Year 5 curriculum teaching points
- using commas to clarify meaning
- sequencing events
- performing their own compositions
Year 5 vocabulary
Tier two words: create, dwell, void, decisively, warily, banish, inhabit
What is dialogue?
Dialogue is a written conversation between two or more people. It is written as direct speech in narratives, with inverted commas punctuating what is said with other punctuation used in direct speech.
Action can be advanced using dialogue, with the direct speech giving information about was or is happening, or what will be happening in the future.
Information about characters can also be conveyed using dialogue, through what is said in direct speech or in the reporting clause showing how the speech is said.