This Year 3 writing unit from our Real Writing collection is built around an original model text by Loretta Schauer, showing pupils how to build an Iron Age roundhouse.
All texts in the collection are written by published children’s authors and follow a carefully mapped framework that covers all Year 3 writing objectives. The model text is available as a PDF in three versions – plain, illustrated and annotated – along with annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations.
Across two to three weeks, pupils will explore technical vocabulary related to historical building methods and develop the writing techniques needed for clear, sequenced instructions.
The unit culminates in pupils creating their own set of instructions for making a model roundhouse from craft materials. This activity links to a topic on Iron Age Britain and can complement D&T lessons.
Key curriculum skills
Vocabulary
Pupils will investigate word families based on common words. They’ll sort word cards into families, create definitions for made-up words based on roots and work new words into sentences. This helps them recognise patterns in language and extend their vocabulary for writing instructional texts.
Grammar
Pupils will practise using the correct article, “a” or “an,” depending on whether the next word begins with a consonant or vowel. They’ll sort words, create sentences with the correct determiners and develop quizzes for classmates to reinforce understanding.
Revisited skills
The unit also provides opportunities to consolidate previous learning, including subordination, identifying grammatical features of different sentence types, correct use of past and present tense and using commas for lists.
Pupils will extend sentences with a wider range of conjunctions, use adverbials and prepositions to express time and cause, and include organisational features such as headings and subheadings.
Vocabulary highlights
- Year 3/4 statutory spelling words: circle, complete, strength, material, build, naturally
- Tier 2 words: straw, flexible, circular, conical, heather, hearth
- Tier 3 words: thatch, weave, wattle, daub
Teaching activities
Pupils will begin by looking at images of Iron Age roundhouses, discussing how they were built and the materials used.
They’ll annotate pictures, identifying construction methods and linking features to vocabulary. Next, they'll read the model text together, recognising imperative verbs, sentence types and past tense forms. They'll also highlight key vocabulary.
Next, pupils will plan their own roundhouse instructions. Using a margin planner, children will organise ideas for making a model roundhouse from craft materials such as straws, fabric strips, cardboard and clay.
They’ll consider how each material corresponds to traditional building techniques and plan clear, sequenced steps.
Over several lessons, pupils will draft, proofread and edit their instructions, applying grammar, punctuation and vocabulary skills.
They’ll incorporate positive and negative command sentences, extend sentences with conjunctions and adverbials, and check their work against a writing skills checklist.
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Compose clear, sequenced instructions for a model roundhouse
- Apply technical and descriptive vocabulary accurately
- Use grammar and punctuation effectively, including articles, command sentences and conjunctions
- Demonstrate planning, drafting and editing skills independently
- Link writing skills to cross-curricular topics such as D&T and history