This Year 5 Real Writing unit uses an original model text by author Anita Loughrey. Pupils explore a persuasive article about renewable energy. Three PDF versions are included: plain, illustrated and annotated. PowerPoint presentations support guided teaching.
Over two to three weeks, pupils learn to structure persuasive writing. They explore effective devices, research an environmental issue, and write their own article to influence behaviour.
The unit follows a carefully mapped framework, provides detailed lesson planning and meets Year 5 writing objectives.
Curriculum links
- English: Writing to persuade, using paragraphs, causal conjunctions, relative clauses, modal verbs
- Science/Geography: Renewable energy sources, environmental impact
- PSHE: Encouraging responsible behaviour, sustainability awareness
Vocabulary
- Tier 2 words: dependably, deplete, overreaction, devastate, replenish, exhaust, generate, surplus, convert, sustainable, decompose, campaign
- Tier 3 words: greenhouse gas, emission, renewable, ozone layer, climate, solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, biomass, pollutant
- Common exception words: environmental, government
Resources included
- Model text PDF (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- PowerPoint presentations (annotated and non-annotated)
- Teaching slides
- Activity sheets for vocabulary, grammar and persuasive writing
- Research and planning sheets
- Persuasion cards and ‘How to persuade’ poster
- Margin planner and writing skills check
Activities and teaching sequence
- Hook activity: Explore a piece of coal to introduce energy topics and spark discussion.
- Read and analyse: Read model text together, identifying persuasive techniques, tense, tone and formality.
- Vocabulary investigation: Use tier 2 and tier 3 word cards; match words to meanings and locate examples in the text.
- Fact and opinion sorting: Discuss and classify statements from the model text.
- Writing to persuade: Collect persuasive language ideas, practice in pairs, then write individual paragraphs or full articles.
- Grammar focus: Teach prefixes (‘over-’, ‘de-’, ‘re-’), causal conjunctions, relative clauses and modal verbs with linked activities.
- Research and planning: Investigate single-use plastic, gather facts, and plan a persuasive article using the margin planner.
- Editing and proofreading: Use writing skills check to improve grammar, punctuation and vocabulary throughout the drafting process.
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Understand persuasive writing structure and techniques
- Use paragraphs, causal conjunctions, relative clauses and modal verbs effectively
- Apply tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary accurately
- Produce a polished persuasive article on an environmental issue
- Demonstrate research skills and the ability to organise and plan their writing