This Year 4 Real Writing unit uses an original biographical recount by Margaret Bateson‑Hill about Bill Gates, linking technology, computing and philanthropy.
The unit offers two to three weeks of detailed lesson planning that follows the Real Writing framework.
Pupils build key vocabulary and strengthen their English skills, and explore computing concepts like networks and the internet.
They revisit etymology and morphology, learning how prefixes and suffixes create word families. The children then sort words into families and practise using them in their own sentences.
Finally, pupils research, plan and write their own biographical recount of Gates' life.
Curriculum links
English
- Prefixes and suffixes
- Etymology and morphology
- Conjunctions
- Paragraphing
- Present perfect form
- Adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions for time, place and cause
- Fronted adverbials
- Organisational devices
- Expanded noun phrases
- Computing: networks, the internet and key technical vocabulary
- PSHE: philanthropy and charitable giving
Vocabulary
- Tier 2: devise, influence, manufacturer, pioneering
- Tier 3: computing, programming, philanthropist, philanthropy, software
- Common exception words: believe, consider, enough, increase
Resources included
- Model text in plain, illustrated and annotated PDF versions
- Annotated and non-annotated teaching slides
- Vocabulary cards and matching tasks
- Grammar practice sheets
- Writer’s craft task and recount planner
- How to write a recount poster
- Full teacher notes for each phase of teaching
Key teaching activities
- Hook: Pupils create ultra-wealthy shopping lists, compare spending totals and discuss charitable choices.
- Reading the model text: Teachers guide pupils to identify recount features, shifts in tense and examples of conjunctions, adjectives, prepositions and noun phrases.
- Vocabulary investigation: Pupils use tiered word cards, locate words in context and infer meanings before completing matching tasks.
- Short writing task: Pupils imagine themselves as technology billionaires and write a donation letter using unit vocabulary.
- Research and note-making: Pupils use books, trusted websites and videos to gather five to ten key facts about Gates.
- Grammar revisit: Pupils examine adverbials, fronted adverbials, expanded noun phrases and present perfect forms in the model text.
- Planning and drafting: Pupils use a margin planner and the model text to structure their biographical recount.
- Editing and refining: Regular checks help pupils improve grammar, punctuation and vocabulary.
Outcomes
- Produce a well-structured biographical recount about Bill Gates
- Use expanded noun phrases, a range of conjunctions and fronted adverbials
- Apply prefixes, suffixes and morphology knowledge confidently
- Organise information into clear paragraphs
- Use technical vocabulary linked to computing and philanthropy
- Demonstrate accurate spelling of key statutory words