This Year 6 writing unit from our Real Writing collection is built around an original model text, A River Speaks, by published children’s author Joshua Seigal.
The unit explores the journey of a river from source to sea through a first-person recount poem. Pupils will read, analyse and perform the poem before creating their own imaginative pieces.
Designed with a carefully mapped framework, this unit provides two to three weeks of detailed lesson planning. Each lesson is structured to help pupils develop key writing skills, explore figurative language and link their learning across subjects.
Geography connections include describing rivers, valleys, estuaries and the river’s physical journey, giving pupils the opportunity to use subject-specific Tier 3 vocabulary.
Curriculum links
This unit supports Year 6 English objectives, including:
- Spelling words with endings that sound like /ʃəs/, spelt ‘-cious’ or ‘-tious’
- Using figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia, imagery)
- Correct subject and verb agreement
- Using pronouns, noun phrases and apostrophes to show contraction and possession
- Understanding formal and informal speech
Cross-curricular links include geography (river terminology, physical geography) and performing arts (reading and performing poetry aloud).
Vocabulary
Year 5/6 statutory spelling words: gracious, precious, ferocious(ly)
Tier 2 words: grasp, sustenance, embrace
Tier 3 words: source, meander, valley, estuary
Resources
The unit provides a full set of teaching resources, including:
- model text PDFs in plain, illustrated, and annotated versions
- annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations
- vocabulary cards
- figurative language poster
- writing skills checklist
- planning margins for poem drafting
Activities
Begin by showing pupils images or videos of rivers and invite them to describe the stages of a river’s journey. Pupils will discuss their observations in groups, building descriptive language and geographical understanding.
Next, the class will read the model poem together, exploring the narrator’s perspective and the level of formality. Practise performing the poem in small groups, focusing on intonation, volume and movement to bring meaning to life.
You'll then guide pupils through new vocabulary, using word cards to introduce Tier 2 and Tier 3 terms. Pupils will identify these words in the poem and infer their meanings from context.
The unit moves on to analysing the poet’s language, with pupils annotating the text to identify figurative language. Pupils will also discuss the use of pronouns and noun phrases to clarify meaning and examine examples of formal and informal speech.
During planning and drafting, pupils can use the margin planner to organise ideas for their own river poem. They'll write over several sessions, applying figurative language techniques and considering how to create vivid images for the reader.
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, pupils will be able to:
- analyse and discuss a model poem
- recognise and use figurative language
- apply Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary accurately
- compose a first-person poem describing a river’s journey
- perform their poems confidently
This unit equips pupils with creative, analytical and technical writing skills while reinforcing cross-curricular knowledge in geography, making learning engaging, purposeful and curriculum-focused.