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Clever Animals: KS2 Comprehension and Writing Activities Pack with Worksheets

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The activities in this KS2 resource pack are based on the article ‘Clever Animals!’ from issue 19 of Animal Planet magazine (included). There are opportunities to develop comprehension and writing skills using the resources provided.

Pupils will learn about the world’s cleverest animals. They will discuss which animal they think is the cleverest, explaining their reasoning in a class debate using information from the article to support them.

Two writing tasks are suggested in the resource pack. In the first, pupils are asked to create a discussion text following the class debate. In the second, pupils will imagine they have taken a clever animal to school, writing a diary entry about how the animal helped them in the school day.

Teachers’ notes are included for each of the activities, with suggested activities to develop the unit further.

This resource pack includes:

  • Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Clever animals!’
  • Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
  • Clever animal cards
  • Which is the cleverest animal? debate plan
  • Discursive texts planning sheet
  • Writing prompt
  • Recount planning sheet
  • Themed writing paper
  • Teaching notes

What is Animal Planet magazine?

This pack has been created in association with Animal Planet magazine, which fuels curious minds, helps children make sense of the world and sparks joy on every page.

To find out more, and register your interest in a school subscription, visit the Animal Planet magazine website.

National Curriculum Programme of Study Links

Reading
Pupils should develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read by listening to and discussing a wide range of … non-fiction
Pupils should understand what they read by
-checking that the text makes sense to them, discussing their understanding and exploring the meaning of words in context.
- asking questions to improve their understanding of the text.
Pupils should be taught how to retrieve, record and present information from non-fiction.


Writing

Pupils should plan their writing by discussing and recording ideas (years 5 and 6 also by drawing on research where necessary)

Years 3 and 4
Pupils should draft and write by
- organising paragraphs around a theme
- composing and rehearsing sentences orally, progressively building a varied and rich vocabulary and an increasing range of sentence structures.

Years 5 and 6
Pupils should draft and write by
- selecting appropriate grammar and vocabulary, understanding how such choices can change an enhance meaning
- using a wider range of devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs

Spoken Language

Pupils should be taught to
- ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge
- articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions
- maintain attention and participate actively in collaborative conversations, staying on topic and initiating and responding to comments



  • Copy of the Animal Planet article ‘Clever animals!’
  • Comprehension question cards (with answer sheet)
  • Clever animal cards
  • Which is the cleverest animal? debate plan
  • Discursive texts planning sheet
  • Writing prompt
  • Recount planning sheet
  • Themed writing paper
  • Teaching notes
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