This Year 6 writing unit from our Real Writing collection is built around an original model text by published children’s author Jon Mayhew. The unit uses a newspaper article recounting events from the story of Peter and the Wolf by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev.
The model text is provided as a PDF in three versions – plain, illustrated and annotated – alongside annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint presentations.
The unit spans two to three weeks and is carefully mapped to follow a clear teaching framework. Pupils will explore the features of newspaper reporting before writing their own articles based on other well-known tales.
Link this unit to music by listening to high-quality recordings of Prokofiev’s compositions, providing a cross-curricular opportunity.
Curriculum links
This unit explicitly develops Year 6 English objectives. Pupils will:
- Understand the difference between informal speech and more formal writing.
- Use passive verbs to affect how information is presented in a sentence, including agentless passive constructions.
- Revisit grammar and punctuation skills such as commas for parenthesis and punctuating direct speech.
- Develop skills in using layout devices to structure newspaper articles effectively.
The unit also you to highlight links to other subjects, particularly music and drama, through listening activities, character role play and performance-based tasks.
Vocabulary
Year 5/6 statutory spelling words: accompany, aggressive, desperate, according
Tier 2 words: determined, commotion, obey, scold, hoist, postscript
Resources
Teachers receive fully resourced lessons, including:
- Model text PDFs (plain, illustrated, annotated)
- PowerPoint presentations (annotated and non-annotated)
- Character and vocabulary cards
- 5Ws worksheets and story mapping sheets
- Writer’s craft instruction sheets
- Margin planners and writing skills checklists
These resources support teachers in delivering the unit in a structured and engaging way.
Key teaching activities
First, pupils will listen to Peter and the Wolf and match characters to musical instruments, discussing character traits and motivations. They will then analyse the newspaper article, identify key features, sequence events and revisit punctuation and layout skills.
Pupils will write questions for different characters and conduct in-role interviews to explore viewpoints. They'll then write diary entries from a character’s perspective, showing understanding of viewpoint and formal/informal language.
Next, students will convert direct speech to reported speech and vice versa, applying punctuation and formality. Finally, using story maps, 5Ws worksheets and margin planners, pupils will draft their own newspaper articles.
Outcomes
By the end of this unit, pupils will be able to:
- Write a structured newspaper article with clear sequencing and engaging headlines.
- Use formal and informal vocabulary appropriately, including Tier 2 and 3 words.
- Apply grammar and punctuation skills accurately, including commas for parenthesis, direct and reported speech and passive verbs.
- Demonstrate an understanding of character perspectives through role play and diary writing.
- Plan, draft and edit writing independently using a clear framework and writing tools.
This Real Writing unit equips teachers with a practical, fully resourced plan, while providing pupils with the confidence and skills to write authentic, engaging newspaper reports.