This KS1 warning tale writing pack helps pupils learn how to plan and write a simple narrative using a clear and familiar structure.
At the heart of the pack is a WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like) – a model text called Don’t Go Outside – It’s Dark!.
In the story, a young character ignores a warning and ends up in a tricky (but safe) situation. The tale follows a straightforward five-part structure: a warning is given, the warning is ignored, a problem arises, the problem is solved, and the character learns their lesson.
You can use this resource across a sequence of writing lessons or as part of a focused story-writing unit. Pupils will explore the model text through reading, retelling and discussion.
They will then use planning sheets and writing frames to build their own stories, following the same structure and using past tense verbs and question sentences.
The resource also supports sentence-level grammar work and gives opportunities for speaking, listening and drama as pupils act out the narrative or create their own versions.
Story writing elements
The text and activities are perfect for teaching key elements of story writing in Year 1 and Year 2, including sentence structure, sequencing events and writing for purpose.
There’s also a focus on grammar, with examples and prompts for using the past tense (including past progressive) and forming different types of sentences, especially questions.
What’s included in the pack:
- WAGOLL model text – a simple, engaging warning tale
- Feature checklist – encourages pupils to identify key elements of the warning tale genre
- Success criteria writing sheet – with grammar reminders, past tense examples and sentence prompts
- Planning sheet – helps pupils organise their ideas across the five-part story structure
- Idea cards – provide prompts for new warning stories (e.g. Don’t touch that – you’ll break it!)
- Themed writing paper – for pupils to present their final stories
Skills this pack helps pupils develop:
- Saying and sequencing ideas aloud before writing
- Writing short narratives with a clear beginning, middle and end
- Using past tense verbs and question sentences
- Exploring cause and consequence through storytelling
- Writing with purpose and using a familiar structure to plan
This resource is ideal for building confidence in story writing while linking grammar, vocabulary and structure in a meaningful way.