Real Writing Year 1 - Unit 15
Model text: How to Make a Rainstick, by Gabrielle Kent
Curriculum links: Design technology, music
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 1 is built around an original model text by Gabrielle Kent - a simple set of instructions for making a musical instrument. 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 of work, pupils will learn how instructions are set out and how imperative verbs (bossy verbs) are used. For the final writing task, pupils will make their own instruments and then write a set of instructions showing how to make their instrument.
Key curriculum skills
Three fully-resourced lessons are included for the following Year 1 English objectives, which can form part of the unit or be taught discretely:
1. Vocabulary: to read and spell compound words
Pupils will: learn how words can be combined to create compound words.
2. Grammar: to compose sentences orally (and explore verbs)
Pupils will: learn that sentences must contain a verb and understand that verbs show actions within a sentence. They will replace verbs in given sentences and compose their own using the verb cards provided or verbs chosen by the teacher.
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3. Punctuation: to begin to punctuate sentences using capital letters and full stops
Pupils will: give instructions, composing sentences orally, and will begin to punctuate these correctly using capital letters and full stops.
Additional objectives to teach or revisit:
- saying out loud what they are going to write about
- combining words to make sentences
- leaving spaces between words
- re-reading what they have written to check it makes sense
- reading aloud their own writing
Year 1 vocabulary
Common exception words: the a to of you your some one put push pull
Tier 2 words: place, draw, cut, squash, wrap, decorate, tie, attach, spring, pour
Tier 3 words: rainstick