This Year 4 Real Writing unit uses an original model text by Jo Franklin. Pupils investigate the arctic fox and its habitat through a detailed report.
Over two weeks, pupils expand nouns with prepositional phrases, explore word families, and write their own reports on an Arctic animal.
The model text comes as a PDF in plain, illustrated, and annotated versions. Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides are also included.
All Real Writing texts are written by published children’s authors, and each unit follows a mapped framework. Pupils read, analyse, and imitate report writing before creating their own texts.
Curriculum links
English objectives
- Morphology of words
- Expanding nouns using prepositional phrases
- Fronted adverbials
- Simple organisational devices
- Conjunctions
- Consistent tense
- Apostrophes for singular possession
- Commas in lists
Cross-curricular
Geography (Arctic habitat), science (animals and habitats)
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: harsh, hostile, temporary, typically, vertically
- Tier 3 words: adapt, adaptation, Arctic, Arctic Circle, camouflage, climate, habitat, omnivore, predator, prey, scavenger, survive, wilderness
- Common exception words: circle, difficult, height, natural, weight
Resources
- Model text PDF (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides
- Arctic habitat image cards
- Vocabulary cards (tier 2, tier 3, statutory spelling words)
- Fact file research sheets
- Writing margin planners
- How to write a report poster
- Activity sheets for vocabulary and grammar
Activities
- Hook: Explore Arctic images or film clips, discuss habitat characteristics, and record findings
- Reading and analysis: Read the model text, identify report features, tense, conjunctions, and expanded noun phrases
- Vocabulary focus: Highlight tier 2 and tier 3 words in context; complete matching activities
- Layout devices: Identify headings, images, lists; practise structuring paragraphs using information cards
- Fronted adverbials: Locate examples in the model text, discuss usage, and create practice sentences
- Research and planning: Complete fact files on chosen Arctic animals and plan reports using margin planners
- Writing and editing: Draft reports, proofread using writing skills check, and produce a class book of Amazing Arctic Animals
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, pupils will:
- Write clear, structured reports about Arctic animals
- Expand nouns using prepositional phrases
- Apply morphology knowledge to create word families
- Use fronted adverbials and organisational devices
- Apply punctuation and spelling skills consistently
- Conduct research and use factual information accurately in their writing