Real Writing Year 2 - Unit 24
Model text: Four Seasons by Joshua Seigal
Curriculum links: Geography, music
Writing Unit overview
This writing unit for Year 2 is built around an original text by Joshua Seigal - a poem describing the four seasons. 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 explore how the poem is organised, identifying patterns in how it is structured using rhyme and repeated lines. Pupils will learn how the letter ‘y’ can make the /igh/ sound and will explore words that are homonyms (words with the same spelling but different meanings). Pupils will also investigate different descriptive devices used by the poet
including noun phrases, alliteration, metaphors and onomatopoeia. In the final writing task, pupils will write their own poem about the seasons, inspired by the music ‘The Four Seasons’ by Vivaldi.
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 recognise the different sounds the letter ‘y’ can make at the ends of words
Pupils will: pupils will practise blending and segmenting words that contain the grapheme y, identifying whether it is making the /ee/ or /igh/ sound at the end of words.
2. Vocabulary: to discuss and clarify the meaning of words
Pupils will: learn that words that are spelt the same can have different meanings. They will investigate homonyms, exploring the different meaning of words.
3. Grammar: to write poetry
Pupils will: investigate the different devices the poet has used to add description in the poem ‘Four Seasons’. They will look for examples of noun phrases and will be introduced to onomatopoeia, alliteration and metaphors. Pupils will then orally rehearse sentences to explore their ideas.
Additional teaching points to teach or revisit:
- punctuating sentences with capital letters and full stops
- proof-reading to check for errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation
- read aloud what they have written
Year 2 vocabulary
Year 2 common exception words: pass again gold path last wild children
Tier 2 words: changes, don, emerge, flux, fungi, nought, sprout, teem, verge, yield
Tier 3 words: rays, season, temperature
What is a homonym?
Homonyms are words which are spelt the same but have different meanings, for example: bat. They also include words that are spelt the same bit are pronounced differently, for example: row.
What is alliteration?
Alliteration occurs when different words that start with the same sound are used together
- Plump pillow
- Heavy hammer
- Tasty toffee
- Slippery slide
What is onomatopoeia?
A word that is formed from the sound that is made.
- smash
- crash
- click
- boom
- cough
- gargle
- buzz
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor is a figure of speech where you say one thing (figuratively) is another thing.
Metaphor examples
- Her hair went white with shock.
- Her inner tiger was there for all to see.
- This school is a zoo!
- You are my guiding light.
- I’m starving!