This Year 4 reading comprehension unit is based on The Worst Team, an original poem by children’s author Joshua Seigal.
The poem explores themes of teamwork, resilience and friendship through the voice of a football team that never wins but refuses to be defeated in spirit. The text also works well as a model (WAGOLL) to support writing across KS2.
You can teach this unit on its own, or as part of a wider themed sequence of Year 4 reading comprehension units that cover fiction and non-fiction. It is part of Real Comprehension, our whole-school programme offering high-quality poetry, fiction and non-fiction texts from Years 1 to 6.
Full teaching sequence
The unit supports a full teaching sequence that builds comprehension through layered readings, paired and choral reading, close analysis and opportunities for role play and discussion.
You’ll find teacher guidance to help children explore the meaning of the text, develop their understanding of key vocabulary and make connections to themselves, other texts and the wider world.
We've supplied the poem in several formats. These include a plain text PDF, an illustrated version and PowerPoint slides with or without highlights. An annotated version of the poem is also included. This shows where to pause and prompt pupils with questions or activities that deepen understanding.
Vocabulary is a key focus in this unit. Two explicit vocabulary lessons explore the words jeering and strike, including their definitions, synonyms, antonyms and use in context.
Further comprehension tasks allow pupils to revisit the whole text, respond personally and engage in structured drama and discussion activities.
This Year 4 reading comprehension resource pack includes:
- Full teaching notes providing a suggested sequence, reading approaches and background knowledge prompts
- Original text PDFs – plain (ink-saver); illustrated; annotated
- Original text PowerPoints – with and without highlights
- Resourced teaching sequences
- Big Questions PowerPoints and worksheets
- Revisit the text worksheets