This Year 5 Real Writing unit uses an original persuasive article by author Anita Loughrey.
Pupils read a leaflet encouraging parents to promote physical activity, study its structure, persuasive devices and vocabulary, and research a related topic such as healthy eating or environmental issues. They then plan and write their own persuasive leaflets, applying these skills.
The unit follows a carefully mapped framework with two to three weeks of lesson planning, and matches Year 5 writing objectives.
Curriculum links
- English: Persuasive writing, vocabulary selection, grammar (modal verbs, adverbs, parenthesis), summarising, identifying facts and opinions
- Cross-curricular: Science (healthy lifestyles, human body, metabolism), PSHE (healthy choices, personal responsibility), PE (physical activity)
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: priority, inspire, globe, prioritise, benefits, cornucopia
- Tier 3 words: active, healthy, inactive, metabolism, activity, vigorous, lethargic, physical
- Common exception words: sufficient, especially
Resources included in this unit
- Model text PDF in plain, illustrated and annotated versions
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides
- Teacher notes and full lesson plans
- Activity sheets for vocabulary, grammar and planning
- Writer’s craft instructions and margin planners
- ‘How to persuade’ poster
- Research sheets for facts and quotes
Activities and teaching sequence
- Reading and discussion: Pupils explore the model text, identify the audience, purpose and persuasive features
- Vocabulary work: Identify and practise Tier 2 and 3 words, infer meaning from context, match activities
- Grammar focus: Use modal verbs and adverbs to indicate possibility; practise parenthesis with brackets, dashes or commas
- Fact and opinion analysis: Pupils distinguish between factual statements and opinions, summarise key points from texts
- Research and planning: Investigate healthy eating or environmental issues; organise information using the margin planner
- Writing and editing: Draft persuasive leaflets, apply vocabulary and grammar skills, proofread using the writing skills checklist
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Produce a clear, structured persuasive leaflet for parents
- Select precise vocabulary and apply synonyms and antonyms
- Use modal verbs and adverbs to express possibility
- Incorporate parenthesis to enhance writing
- Distinguish facts from opinions and summarise key information
- Research effectively to support their arguments