Lesson Planning
Non-fiction
English Year 3/4 Autumn Letters
I'll Write to You: Animal Conversations
Kick-start this block on written communication with the wonderful Oi! Get off our train. Write text conversations, letters, playscripts and blogs. Learn how to punctuate dialogue and use paragraphs to organise writing.
Start with the core unit to introduce key texts. Then select from comprehension, SPAG and composition units.
Unit 1 Core: Introducing letters - Animal conversations
(suggested as 5 days)
Group Readers
Letters from the zoo
This is an outstanding text, based on letters written from animals in the zoo to their wild counterparts. Stunning illustrations make the letters come alive and children will certainly be motivated to write their own replies.
You Will Need
Essential Text
Oi, Get Off Our Train by John Burningham, Red Fox
Group Reader
Letters from the Zoo
Non-essential Texts
Any non-fiction texts on animals and their protection
Unit 2 SPaG: Dialogue punctuation
(suggested as 3 days)
Lesson Planning
SPaG: Grammar and Punctuation
You Will Need
Essential Texts
Provided in resources
Weblinks
Meet the animals at Chester Zoo
Unit 3 SPaG: Paragraphs and sequencing words
(suggested as 2 days)
Lesson Planning
SPaG: Grammar and Punctuation
You Will Need
Essential Text
Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown
Unit 4 Composition: Writing letters - Animal conversations
(suggested as 5 days)
Lesson Planning
Group Readers
Grass for Tea
This beautifully illustrated non-fiction book is a perfect introduction to the genre for beginning readers. Children will be able to find out information about native British animals, presented in a clear, accessible way. This phonologically decodable text is a superb accompaniment to a block of work on factual texts.
You Will Need
Essential Text
Lesser Spotted Animals by Martin Brown
Weblinks
BBC documentary clip: The elusive red squirrel