This Year 5 Real Writing unit centres on Jon Mayhew’s newspaper recount about the WWII bombing of Coventry.
Across two to three weeks, teachers use the mapped framework to guide pupils as they study key features such as headlines, lead paragraphs and the 5Ws.
Pupils read closely, gather facts, explore parenthesis and direct and reported speech, then plan and write their own historical newspaper recounts with clear links to English and history.
The unit follows a carefully mapped framework and matches Year 5 writing objectives.
Curriculum links
English
• Headlines and lead paragraphs
• Parenthesis using brackets, dashes and commas
• Direct and reported speech
• Paragraph organisation
• Modal verbs
• Adverbials of time for cohesion
• Distinguishing fact and opinion
Cross-curricular
• History: World War II, the Blitz, significant turning points in British history
• Computing: presenting final published newspaper articles
Vocabulary
- Tier 2: raid, devastate, barrage, devastation, dense, survey, condolence, urgency
- Tier 3: blitz, incendiary, defuse
- Common exception words: neighbour, recent, interest
Resources included
• Three versions of the model text: plain, illustrated and annotated
• Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides
• Full teacher notes and step-by-step teaching sequence
• Vocabulary cards and definition match cards
• 5Ws worksheet
• Newspaper recount picture cards
• Research sheet
• Newspaper margin planner
• Writing skills checklist
• Newspaper article template
Activities and teaching sequence
Explore the text
• Read the model text and discuss the events in Coventry.
• Identify newspaper features including headline, byline and lead paragraph.
• Compare with other printed and online newspapers.
Develop vocabulary
• Match Tier 2 and Tier 3 words to definitions.
• Display vocabulary in class for ongoing reference.
Investigate the 5Ws
• Examine how the model text uses the 5Ws to give essential information.
• Apply the 5Ws to images and historical events.
Grammar focus
• Add and punctuate parenthesis in sentences.
• Identify and transform direct and reported speech.
Build cohesion
• Collect adverbials of time from the model text and wider reading.
• Sort facts and opinions and discuss why both appear in news reports.
Plan and rehearse writing
• Research a chosen historical or topical event.
• Organise notes using the margin planner.
• Draft headlines and lead paragraphs in different orders.
Write and publish
• Produce a full newspaper recount using clear paragraphs and accurate grammar.
• Edit independently using the skills checklist.
• Publish using computers or the writing template.
Outcomes
By the end of the unit pupils:
• Write a structured newspaper recount using clear paragraphs
• Use parenthesis with accurate punctuation
• Include direct and reported speech effectively
• Apply the 5Ws to inform readers
• Use modal verbs and adverbials of time to create cohesion
• Distinguish confidently between facts and opinions
• Present a polished newspaper article ready for display or publication