This Year 4 Real Writing unit uses a model text written by a published children’s author, Ross Montgomery. A carefully mapped framework supports two to three weeks of detailed planning.
Short, purposeful tasks guide pupils as they explore myths, develop language and create their own explanation of a natural phenomenon.
Clear curriculum links strengthen the sequence. Pupils build English skills through vocabulary study, grammar practice, character description and structured planning.
Work on sound and echoes links directly to science, while references to gods, nymphs and ancient storytelling draw in simple history connections to Ancient Greece.
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: distraught, instantly, nymph, wilt
- Tier 3 words: echo, fainter, pitch, vibration, volume
- Common exception words: answer, completely, continue, decide, different, enough, heart, sentence
Resources included
- Plain, illustrated and annotated PDFs of the model text
- Annotated and non-annotated teaching PowerPoints
- Full teacher notes and step-by-step sequence
- Vocabulary cards and matching tasks
- Character description sheets
- Myth planning sheets
- Writing skills check
- Teaching slides and activity sheets
- ‘How to write a myth’ guidance poster
- Myths margin planner
Activities and teaching sequence
Reading the model text
Introduce the myth through shared reading, highlight features of the genre and discuss how the story explains a natural event.
Exploring vocabulary
Use the word cards to search for key vocabulary in context. Pupils infer meaning, discuss examples and complete matching activities.
Character description and noun phrases
Reread sections that show how the author describes gods, nymphs and humans. Pupils collect rich language, build expanded noun phrases and write their own character descriptions.
Grammar and sentence work
Model how to use the possessive apostrophe in plural nouns and how to punctuate direct speech accurately. Pupils rehearse sentences aloud and apply the skills in short tasks.
Exploring further myths
Share other myths and discuss the phenomena they explain. Encourage pupils to notice repeated structures and common themes.
Planning and writing
Guide pupils to plan their myths using the margin planner. They choose a natural phenomenon, design characters and shape the storyline. Pupils rehearse ideas orally, draft over several sessions and use the writing skills check to proofread and edit.
Curriculum links
- English: vocabulary development, expanded noun phrases, character description, direct speech, plural possession, prepositions, fronted adverbials, pronouns
- Science: sound, echoes and vibrations
- History: Ancient Greece and traditional storytelling
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Use plural possessive apostrophes correctly
- Punctuate direct speech accurately
- Create expanded noun phrases to describe characters
- Sequence ideas using a growing range of adverbials
- Plan, draft, edit and publish their own myth
- Apply a broader vocabulary and stronger sentence control within narrative writing