Real Writing Year 6 - Unit 16
Model text: Letter from the Head Teacher, by Jon Mayhew
Unit Overview
This writing unit for Year 6 is built around an original model text by Jon Mayhew; a formal letter from the headteacher of Biggin Primary School. 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 read a formal letter from a headteacher outlining new rules for students at the school. Pupils will have the opportunity to read and write letters in a formal register.
Key curriculum skills
Two fully resourced lessons are included for Year 5/6 English objectives:
1. Vocabulary: to select appropriate vocabulary to create a formal tone
Pupils will: organise synonyms from most to least formal (and practise saying these out loud using appropriate registers); create pieces of writing on the same theme using different registers; collect and compare examples of writing that use different registers.
2. Grammar: To use the subjunctive form in very formal speech and writing
Pupils will: Identify sentences written in the subjunctive form; rewrite sentences so they are written in the subjunctive form; write an invitation from the Queen to a party at Buckingham Palace, including the subjunctive form.
Revisited skills
Additional Year 6 teaching points
- using the appropriate register in speech and writing
- using brackets
- colons to introduce a list
- the use of semicolons to separate independent clauses
Year 6 words: featured vocabulary
Spelling words: equipment, equip, accommodate, environment, appreciate
Tier 2 words: instil, ensure, tolerate, allegation, submit, ambassador, temporarily, forbidden, administer, request, specify, refrain, hazardous, adhere, deviation, insist