Real Writing Year 2 - Unit 23
Model text: If You Want to be Healthy… by Margaret Bateson-Hill
Curriculum links: Science, RSE
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 2 is built around an original text by Margaret Bateson-Hill - an explanation text written as a magazine article about how to keep healthy. 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 the features of an explanation text and the meaning of technical vocabulary linked to the topic. Pupils will learn to spell words where the letter ‘c’ makes the /s/ sound and will explore using conjunctions to help explain. Pupils will also learn how commas are used to separate items within a list. In their final writing task, the pupils will write their own explanation about keeping healthy, using knowledge that they have gained in science and RSE as part of physical health and mental wellbeing. This unit gives pupils the opportunity to write for a range of purposes and could be used as an opportunity for pupils to show their knowledge of this subject.
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 spell words with the /s/ sound spelt with a ‘c’ before e, i or y
Pupils will: learn that the letter ‘c’ can make the /s/ sound if placed before an e, i or y. They will read and spell words where the letter ‘c’ is making a /c/ or /s/ sound and write simple sentences dictated by an adult.
Pupils will: learn how to use co-ordinating (FANBOYS) and subordinating conjunctions to extend their sentences and explore how subordinating conjunctions are particularly useful when explaining.
3. Punctuation: to use commas to separate items within a list
Pupils will: learn how commas are used to separate items in lists before going onto using commas in their own writing.
Additional objectives to teach or revisit:
- punctuating sentences with full stops, question and exclamation marks
- using different sentence types
- writing using the correct tense
- rereading writing to check that it makes sense
- proofreading to check for errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation
- read aloud what they have written
Year 2 vocabulary
Common exception words: bath water sugar fast everything children because cold could should
Tier 2 words: memory, mood, relaxing, strengthen, supple
Tier 3 words: balanced diet, exercise, fibre, healthy, heart, hygiene, mindfulness, muscle
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.