Real Writing Year 4, Unit 1
Terrific Teeth! by Margaret Bateson-Hill
Curriculum links: Science (Animals, Including Humans)
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 4 is built around an original model text by Margaret Bateson-Hill - an explanation text in the form of a leaflet aimed at children, explaining how they should look after their teeth. 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 identify the key features of an explanation text and have an opportunity to learn technical vocabulary related to teeth and how to take care of them. They will investigate and learn to spell irregular plurals, and understand how to use pronouns for clarity. Finally, they will write their own explanatory text about human teeth and how to look after them.
Key curriculum skills
Two fully-resourced lessons are included for the following Year 3 English objectives, which can form part of the unit or be taught discretely:
1. Vocabulary: To investigate and spell irregular plurals
Pupils will: revisit plurals and the rules for adding -s and -es to singular nouns to create plurals; understand that some words do not follow this rule; complete a table of irregular plurals; write a paragraph using irregular plurals.
2. Composition: To use pronouns for clarity and cohesion
Pupils will: revisit pronouns; understand how pronouns can be used to improve clarity; rewrite sentences with pronouns to avoid repetition; rewrite a paragraph, using pronouns for clarity.
Additional objectives to teach or revisit:
- Using adjectives and prepositions
- using consistent tense
- using a range of conjunctions
- including organisational features such as headings and subheadings
Additional year 4 curriculum teaching points
- using fronted adverbials
- creating expanded noun phrases using adjectives and prepositional phrases
Year 4 vocabulary
Year 3/4 statutory spelling words: although, appear, different, strengthen, probably, important, regular
Tier two words: bacteria, tissue
Tier three words: canines, decay, dentine, enamel, incisor, molar, plaque, pulp
What is an explanation text?
An explanation text explains how or why processes occur or why something is the way it is. Explanatory texts includes information about causes, motives or reasons rather than simply giving a description of what happens (this would be a report).
Examples of explanation texts include explanations of processes in science, explaining how something works (such as an invention), explaining phenomenon such as volcanic eruptions, or the water cycle or question and answer style articles.