Real Writing Year 3 - Unit 19
The Secret Mardi Gras King, by Jo Franklin
Curriculum links: Geography (North America)
Writing unit overview
This writing unit for Year 3 is built around an original model text by Jo Franklin - a story set during Mardi Gras celebrations in modern day USA. The example text is available as a PDF in three versions (plain, illustrated and annotated); annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations are also included.
In this two-week unit, pupils will have an opportunity to learn some vocabulary connected with this colourful carnival. They will also look at prefixes, and how to punctuate direct speech. It will culminate in them writing their own story based on a Mardi Gras theme and set in the modern day.
Key curriculum skills
Two fully-resourced lessons are included for the following Year 3 English objectives, which can form part of the unit or be taught discretely:
1. Vocabulary - To use a range of prefixes
Pupils will: revisit the meaning of ‘prefix’ and identify them in words, explaining their meaning; use prefixes to understand word meanings; match prefixes with definitions; use words with prefixes in sentences.
2. Composition - To use inverted commas to punctuate direct speech
Pupils will: look at ways of writing direct speech in KS2, particularly where the reporting clause follows the spoken part; understand correct speech punctuation; correct speech punctuation in sentences; write correctly punctuated dialogue.
Additional skills to teach or revisit
- the use of expanded noun phrases
- commas for lists, including lists of adjectives
- apostrophes for contracted words
Additional Year 3 curriculum teaching points
- extending sentences with a wider range of conjunctions
- the use of conjunctions, adverbials and prepositions to express time and cause
- the development of settings, characters and plot
- the use of paragraphs organised around a theme, scene or period of time
Year 3 vocabulary
Tier two words: prepare, overexcited, transform
Tier three words: carnival, costume, Easter, French, Lent, Mardi Gras, parade
Year 3 / statutory spellings: arrive, centre, heart, quarter
What are inverted commas?
Inverted commas go before and after direct speech, surrounding what was said.
Use inverted commas to mark the beginning and end of direct speech (a speaker’s words written down exactly as they were spoken).
The conductor shouted, “Sit down!”
Inverted comma KS2 examples
“I’m bored,” he complained.
“What’s that noise?” he asked. “Your sister!” his dad replied.