This Year 4 writing unit from the Real Writing collection uses an original model text by published children’s author Margaret Bateson-Hill. The story, Until We Are Free Again, recounts Boudicca’s rebellion against the Romans and the fierce battle that followed.
Each unit follows a carefully mapped framework and provides two to three weeks of detailed, ready-to-teach lesson planning.
Pupils explore how the author develops characters, settings and actions through rich vocabulary, adverbials and viewpoint.
The unit links strongly to history topics on the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.
What pupils learn
Pupils read, analyse and imitate a narrative text about Boudicca’s Iceni tribe. They learn how to use:
- Synonyms to enrich vocabulary
- Adverbials, including fronted adverbials, to show time, place and manner
- Expanded noun phrases to describe characters and settings
- Dialogue to show character and move the action forward
They apply these techniques when planning, drafting and editing their own version of Boudicca’s story, told from a new perspective.
Curriculum links
- English: Vocabulary building; using adverbials; writing for different viewpoints; applying Standard English
- History: The Roman Empire and its impact on Britain
- Cross-curricular: Opportunities to explore geography (Roman settlements) and art (depicting battle scenes)
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: abandon, emerge, furious, loyal, triumphant, vengeance, victory
- Tier 3 words: Boudicca, Iceni, chariot, rebellion, warrior, comrade, legion
- Common exception words: caught, disappear, forward, straight, through, woman
Resources included
- Three versions of the model text (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations
- Teacher notes and lesson slides
- Vocabulary and sequencing cards
- Planning and writing frames
- ‘How to’ and ‘Writer’s craft’ posters
Key teaching activities
- Explore the model text through shared reading and discussion
- Investigate vocabulary and sentence-level features using guided tasks
- Sequence and retell events to deepen understanding
- Plan and write stories using margin planners
- Edit and proofread writing with class support
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, pupils write a well-structured historical narrative from a chosen viewpoint. They use a varied vocabulary, fronted adverbials and consistent tense to describe setting, character and action effectively.