Engage pupils with this Year 1 writing unit from our Real Writing collection, based on a retelling of Sleeping Beauty by published children’s author Lucy Strange.
Designed to run over two to three weeks, this unit follows a carefully mapped framework that develops pupils’ reading, writing and vocabulary skills while introducing them to the features of fairy tales.
Key skills and curriculum links
This unit supports Year 1 English objectives:
- Divide words into syllables for reading and spelling
- Sequence sentences to form short narratives
- Use capital letters to punctuate sentences
Pupils will also practise foundational writing skills, including saying aloud what they will write, composing sentences orally with adjectives, using full stops and exclamation marks, leaving spaces between words and reading aloud their writing.
The unit can link to cross-curricular topics such as castles, kings and queens and design technology.
Activities and teaching sequence
Lessons begin with a hook using the Images of Fairy Tales poster, helping pupils recall familiar stories. Pupils will read Sleeping Beauty, using story retelling cards and images to support oral sequencing, discussion of good and evil characters and identification of magical events.
They'll draw story maps, sequence events with cards and act out the story to internalise narrative structure.
Later, pupils will label and describe Sleeping Beauty’s castle, retell sections orally and plan their own versions of the story by changing the witch’s spell.
They'll then compose their fairy tale using story maps, adding story language to sequence ideas and ensuring accurate punctuation. Teachers can provide scaffolds and challenges to support learners of varying confidence.
Resources included
This unit comes with a full suite of teaching materials:
- Model text PDFs in plain, illustrated, and annotated versions
- Annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides
- Story maps and sequencing cards
- Vocabulary cards for Tier 2 and Tier 3 words
- Common exception word cards
- Writing sheets and prompts
- Good vs Evil character worksheets
These resources allow you to deliver the lessons confidently and effectively, making the planning and teaching process straightforward and engaging.
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Retell a fairy tale confidently through speech and writing
- Use capital letters, full stops and exclamation marks accurately
- Apply syllable knowledge and common exception words in their writing
- Create their own version of Sleeping Beauty, demonstrating creativity and understanding of story structure
This structured, engaging and creative approach helps pupils develop essential literacy skills while enjoying the magic and adventure of fairy tales.