In this Year 3 Real Writing unit, pupils will explore Journey to the Arctic Circle, an original story written by published children’s author Ross Montgomery. The tale describes an exciting expedition to the Arctic Circle – which turns out to be imaginary!
This two-to-three-week unit immerses children in storytelling, vocabulary building and grammar exploration, all underpinned by a carefully mapped framework that supports progression across the curriculum.
Curriculum links and objectives
The unit develops key English skills in line with Year 3 writing objectives, focusing on vocabulary, composition, and grammar. Pupils will learn to:
- Use the suffix –ly to form adverbs and understand how they modify verbs.
- Use synonyms for “said” when writing direct speech to make meaning clearer.
- Apply expanded noun phrases and commas for lists.
- Extend sentences using conjunctions, adverbials and prepositions to express time and cause.
- Develop settings, characters and plot while organising writing into paragraphs around a theme or scene.
This unit also links beautifully with geography, giving pupils the opportunity to learn about polar regions, environments and exploration.
Vocabulary focus
Introduce and explore a rich range of vocabulary, including:
- Tier 2 words: miracle, survival, beset
- Tier 3 words: Arctic Circle, avalanche, base camp, environment, expedition, landscape
- Common exception words: appear, disappear, continue, enough, heard, purpose
Children will use word cards, context clues and matching activities to investigate meanings and apply new vocabulary in their writing.
Key teaching activities
Begin with a hook activity, such as showing a short video of a polar expedition. Pupils will discuss the explorers’ challenges, the harsh landscape and the kind of person needed for such an adventure. They'll then create a list of essential equipment for survival in the Arctic.
Next, pupils will study the model text, identifying examples of direct speech, expanded noun phrases, conjunctions and descriptive language. They'll explore verb forms, practise turning adjectives into adverbs and experiment with synonyms for “said” to add variety to their dialogue.
As pupils progress, they'll write advertisements inviting others to join their imaginary Arctic expedition, using Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary. Later, they'll plan and write their own narrative about a polar adventure, using a margin planner and step-by-step writing guidance.
Resources included
- Model text in three versions: plain, illustrated, and annotated (PDF)
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoints
- Teacher notes and full lesson plans
- Vocabulary cards and matching activities
- Visual resources featuring Arctic landscapes
- Writing scaffolds and “How to write a modern-day story” posters
Learning outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Write an imaginative story inspired by Arctic exploration
- Use accurate punctuation for dialogue
- Apply expanded noun phrases, conjunctions and adverbs correctly
- Use a wide range of vocabulary, including topic-specific and common exception words
- Demonstrate growing confidence in planning, drafting, editing and improving their work
This engaging Real Writing unit helps Year 3 pupils strengthen their writing skills, broaden their vocabulary, and experience the thrill of storytelling through the eyes of an explorer.