Real Writing Year 3 - Unit 18
Model text: A Mother’s Blessing, by Margaret Bateson-Hill
Curriculum Links: Geography (European Countries)
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 6 is built around an original model text by Margaret Bateson-Hill; a version of a tale of Baba Yaga, a folklore character from Russian and Slavic storytelling. 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 have an opportunity to learn some vocabulary connected with traditional food preparation. It will culminate in them writing their own retelling of a Baba Yaga folktale or an original story involving similar themes. This unit could be used as part of a geography topic about another European country.
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 - using a thesaurus to find synonyms
Pupils will: use a thesaurus to find synonyms for given words; use a thesaurus to find two synonyms for a given word, which they must then write into a sentence; find synonyms for other words in the model text.
2. Grammar - writing direct speech where the reporting clause follows the speech
Pupils will: punctuate direct speech correctly in given sentences using inverted commas; write a dialogue between themselves and a witch, using correct punctuation; write sentences with a reporting clause at the start, and peer assess each other’s work.
Additional skills to teach or revisit:
- use of expanded noun phrases for description and specification
- commas for lists
Additional Year 3 teaching points
- extending sentences with a wider range of conjunctions
- the use of conjunctions, adverbials and prepositions to express time and cause
- the development of settings, characters and plot
- the use of paragraphs organised around a theme, scene or period of time
Year 3 vocabulary
Year 3 / 4 statutory spelling words: believe, promise, strange, notice, separate
Tier 2 words: wisdom, delicious
Tier 3 words: pestle, mortar
Inverted commas, or speech marks, are used when writing direct speech. The inverted commas go around what is said within a sentence. Other speech punctuation is also needed. Punctuation is needed at the end of the direct speech before the inverted comma and a comma is used after the reporting clause if this comes before the direct speech.
- “We are going on an adventure,” said Travis.
- Travis said, “We are going on an adventure.”
What is the reporting clause?
The reporting clause is the short clause that can come before or after the direct speech that states who was talking. It can also show how the speech was said.
- “We are going on an adventure,” exclaimed Travis.