This Year 4 Real Writing unit uses an original model text by children's author Margaret Bateson-Hill.
Over two weeks, pupils identify the features of an explanation text, learn technical vocabulary, investigate irregular plurals, and use pronouns for clarity. They write their own explanatory texts about human teeth and how to look after them.
The model text is available in three PDF versions: plain, illustrated and annotated. PowerPoint slides, annotated and non-annotated, support teaching.
Curriculum links
English objectives
- Investigate and spell irregular plurals
- Use pronouns for clarity and cohesion
- Revisit adjectives, prepositions, consistent tense, and conjunctions
- Include organisational features such as headings and subheadings
Cross-curricular links
- Science: animals including humans – understanding teeth, diet, and function
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: bacteria, tissue
- Tier 3 words: canines, decay, dentine, enamel, incisor, molar, plaque, pulp
- Year 3/4 statutory spelling words: although, appear, different, strengthen, probably, important, regular
Resources included
- PDF model text (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- PowerPoint presentations (annotated and non-annotated)
- Teacher notes with full teaching sequence
- Vocabulary cards (tier 2, tier 3, statutory spellings)
- Activity sheets for grammar, vocabulary, and writing tasks
- Video links (e.g., BBC Teach teeth comparison video)
- Report margin planner
- ‘How to write a report’ poster
Key teaching activities
- Hook activity: Watch a video comparing human and animal teeth; discuss foods causing decay
- Model text exploration: Identify text type, tense, conjunctions, adjectives, and prepositions; highlight examples
- Vocabulary tasks: Match tier 2 and tier 3 words with meanings; use context from the model text
- Writing opportunities:
- Write instructions for using teeth in a balanced diet
- Organise paragraphs with topic sentences and subheadings for herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores
- Report writing:
- Analyse report features in the model text
- Plan using information from the text, video, and research
- Draft, proofread, and edit using the writing skills check
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will be able to:
- Write a clear, organised explanation text about human teeth
- Use irregular plurals accurately
- Apply pronouns to improve clarity and cohesion
- Incorporate adjectives, prepositions, fronted adverbials, and expanded noun phrases
- Include headings and subheadings to structure their writing
- Demonstrate awareness of audience through clear and precise explanations