This Year 2 unit from the Real Writing collection focuses on non-chronological reports using a model text from children's author Dan Smith.
Over two to three weeks, pupils explore language, sentence structure and vocabulary while learning to organise information clearly under question subheadings.
The children will highlight words ending in ‘al’, identify common and proper nouns and use commas to separate items in lists. They'll build a bank of facts and develop sentence control as they plan their own reports. Pupils learn who the King is and explore roles, duties and responsibilities within the Royal Family.
Cross-curricular vocabulary links support understanding of monarchy, government and national institutions. Ready-to-use resources strengthen purposeful writing outcomes and enable pupils to write confidently and independently.
Key teaching activities
- Introduce the text and identify non-chronological report features
- Build a class fact list about the King and his family
- Sort information under question subheadings
- Practise reading and spelling words ending in ‘al’
- Identify common and proper nouns in context
- Use commas to separate items in lists
- Match tier 2 and tier 3 vocabulary to definitions and images
- Generate research questions for report sections
- Plan a report using a structured template
- Rehearse sentences orally before writing
- Write a diary entry to compare past and present tense
- Edit writing by checking grammar, punctuation and spelling
Curriculum links
- English: punctuation in lists, present tense, question sentences, noun phrases
- History: significant individuals, monarchy, national institutions
- PSHE: roles and responsibilities in leadership
- Reading: retrieval and vocabulary development
Resources included
- Model text in three PDF versions
- Annotated and non-annotated teaching slides
- Vocabulary cards and matching activities
- Planning sheets with subheadings
- Organising information task cards
- Common exception word cards
- Writer’s craft checklist
- King’s Diary writing sheet
- Royal Family name cards and images
Vocabulary
Tier 2 words: duties, banquet, fortune, hobby
Tier 3 words: queen, king, Head of State, United Kingdom, Commonwealth, Church of England, reign, monarch, Parliament, government, Prime Minister, laws, heir, throne
Common exception words: children, old, father, who, many, people, money, every
What pupils will do
- Read and talk about royal responsibilities
- Identify features of non-chronological reports
- Collect and organise information using question headings
- Retell key facts through oral rehearsal
- Write sentences using coordinating conjunctions
- Write a simple diary entry in the past tense
- Apply commas in lists and capital letters for names
Outcomes
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Write a non-chronological report about a chosen member of royalty
- Use question subheadings to organise information
- Include at least three correctly punctuated lists
- Demonstrate accurate spelling of nouns ending in ‘al’
- Show understanding of common and proper nouns
- Use noun phrases to expand basic detail
- Proofread for clarity and accuracy
Teachers can extend the unit through research tasks, family tree activities and short presentations about historical monarchs.