This pack contains a number of resources to support pupils when writing their own portal story, with characters entering a new world! The resources are based on two model texts, with planning sheets to support pupils to write their own portal stories. These could be a continuation of the model texts, with characters going through the portals again to the same place or visiting new worlds. Alternatively, pupils could use the model texts to help structure their own portal stories.
Pupils’ final portal stories could be linked to your current geography or history topic, with characters visiting the time period or the place currently being studied.
What does this KS2 resource include?
- Model text: A Shift in Time - This model text is an example of a portal story, with three children going through a forbidden door that leads to a Roman market. Pupils can explore the features of this story type using the model and write their own versions, with the characters visiting the Roman market again, or perhaps the door will lead them to another historical period.
- Model text: The Mirror - This model text is an example of a portal story, with two girls discovering that a new mirror in their gran’s house could transport them to a new room. Pupils can explore the features of this story type using the model and write their own versions, with characters going through the portal again.
- Portal story writing sheet - Two versions are included for LKS2 and UKS2. Both contain a success criteria list as well as examples of grammar skills suitable for LKS2 (punctuating direct speech and the use of speech verbs) and UKS2 (writing dialogue that conveys character and the use of ellipsis) from the English curriculum.
- Portal story planning sheet - This worksheet allows pupils to plan their own portal stories, organising their ideas before writing.
- New Worlds image cards - A set of images to inspire pupils writing with examples of new worlds that could be visited through a portal.
- Writing paper - The themed writing paper can be used for pupils to present their work.
What is a portal story?
This type of story involves characters visiting another world via a ‘portal’, which is often a doorway or window. The new world will usually be completely different from the surroundings that characters are familiar with and the story can involve time travel, science fiction or fantasy elements.
National Curriculum English programme of study links:
Year 3/4
- Pupils should plan their writing by discussing writing that is similar to that which they are planning to write in order to understand and learn from its structure, vocabulary and grammar.
- Pupils will use use and punctuate direct speech.
Year 5 /6
- Pupils should be taught to plan their writing by identifying the audience for and purpose for writing, selecting the appropriate form and using other similar writing as models for their own.
- Pupils should be taught to draft and write, in narratives, ... integrating dialogue to convey character and advance action
- Pupils should be taught to draft and write using a wide range of cohesive devices to build cohesion within and across paragraphs (ellipsis)