Genre writing approach
The series takes a unique approach to genre writing. At this level, genre writing follows a four- week approach, with a fortnight spent on each unit. Two units are dedicated to each genre.
Discrete oral language activities act as building blocks for genre writing.
Oral Language
A My favourite book Bring in your favourite book. Prepare a short presentation telling your class the following information: title, author, illustrator, characters, setting and plot.
The first unit dedicated to each genre explores the structure of the genre. Pupils are asked to plan and draft a piece of writing, usually linked to the comprehension topic.
Writing Genre – Report Writing
The purpose of a report is to present factual information to the reader. The structure of a report includes: ƒ Title – key words ƒ Classification – What is it? ƒ Description – size, space, features ƒ Subheadings – place/time/function (Where is it?/When is it?/What does it do?) ƒ Summarising comment – tie it together/interesting point
A Plan and draft a book report about a book you have read recently. Use the guidelines below.
Book Report Title
Author Illustrator Classification Description Characters
Setting
Summary Rating
B Art Activity
Design a book cover for your favourite book. You could take inspiration from a quote, the setting or a main event.
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Grammar activities are linked to the genre wherever appropriate.
Comprehension STOP Use your dictionary to find out the meaning of the bold words below.
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The reading passage serves as a template for the genre. The teacher can refer to this while outlining the structure of the genre, simply through discussion, or by having pupils highlight or underline the various elements.
Title Gotta Catch ’em All Classification
Pokémon Go is a game where you collect and trade creatures called Pokémon (Pocket Monsters). It is one of the first popular games to use ‘augmented reality’ – a cross between real life and an online world. It is slowly becoming a worldwide craze. The aim of the game is to go outside, search for Pokémon and catch as many as possible. There are more than 150 to catch. *
How does it work? The app uses GPS tracking, so you can to go to real-life locations, such as parks and schools (Pokémon gyms), to catch Pokémon. The more ground you cover, the more ‘energy’ you will have and the bigger your collection will grow. Players can also see where other players are on the map, and once they reach a high enough level, they can join teams and battle other trainers (players).
So, what are Pokémon? Pokémon are little creatures that can be captured using a small spherical device called a poké ball. The poké ball is thrown at the Pokémon and
Description 20 Online resources to support genre writing
ƒ Editable writing frames are provided online to allow pupils to publish their work for an audience.
ƒ Self-assessment checklists are also provided to help pupils edit and self-assess their work. v Subheading
when it hits them, it catches them and they are sucked inside. They are then stored in Pokédex. There are many different types of Pokémon with different moves and abilities.
What are the benefits of the game? The app encourages players to get outside and be active. Yes, you will still technically be on a device, but you will be using it outdoors as opposed to being slumped on the couch. You can explore new parks and do a lot of walking.
What are the risks? The main safety concern is that a player’s location can be tracked, stored and revealed to nearby players. Another danger is physical injury due to distraction (like walking into traffic because you’re staring at your phone) and being directed to an unsafe location. The game can cost a lot of money as there are in-app purchases and it can also drain a device’s battery quickly.
So, what is your verdict? Are you gonna catch ‘em all?
Summarising comment Grammar – Alphabetical Order
Alphabetical order means that the words follow the order of the letters of the alphabet. A dictionary shows us the alphabetical order of words. Words that start with the letter ‘a’ are at the start of the dictionary and words that start with the letter ‘z’ are at the back of the dictionary. When a word begins with the same letter, we look to the second letter to see which is earlier in the alphabet, e.g. sandwich, spanner. When the second letter is the same, we look to the third, e.g. breeze, brown. And so on.
A Read the words in each list. Put the words in alphabetical order by placing a number next to each to show which comes first, second, third and fourth.
4 2 3 1
hospital horse hose horn
ran rush race
runner
switch swirl swim swing
oar owl oak own
east easy enter
England
daffodil daisy
dandelion dahlia
send seen scare sand
rain rainbow rainy rainstorm
B Choose a number of words from the list above and look them up in the dictionary. In your copy, put the words into sentences to show their meaning.
C Dictionary Race Game: Listen for the word your teacher calls out. Race to find it in your dictionary. The winner gets to choose the next word!
D Dictation: Listen to your teacher and write the sentences in your copy.
I can do this! I'm getting there. I need help! 23 Top tip!
In report writing, the word classification is used to introduce the topic. Look back at the classification used in the book report on ‘The BFG’. Think of a classification to use for your book report.
The second unit dedicated to each genre introduces the language and grammar that pupils are expected to include in the genre. They are then asked to edit and rewrite the piece of writing drafted in the previous unit.
Oral Language
A News reports Listen to the news on the radio and make some notes. Have a news reporting session in your class where everyone gets a turn to report on a topic.
My News Report
Writing Genre – Report Writing
When writing reports we use the present (every day) tense. Example: The girl visits the giant, brings him food and sings him songs.
We use adjectives to describe the people/things we are reporting about. Example: The giant was big and friendly. He had enormous ears.
Action verbs make our reports sound more interesting. Examples: sped, raced, jumped, sprinted, threw, punched, grasped, pulled, pushed, turned.
A In your copy, review, edit and rewrite your book report.
ƒ Look closely at the punctuation and grammar. ƒ Is the order good? ƒ Did you use the present tense, adjectives and action verbs? ƒ Does it look right? ƒ Does it make sense? ƒ How can you make it better? ƒ Do you need to switch some sentences or cut some out totally?
Check your work using the report self-assessment checklist.
B Art activity
Using recycled newspaper, create one of the following: a robot, a fruit bowl, a decoration, a bunch of flowers.
Unit 4 | Report 2
Unit 4 | Report 2
Unit 3 | Report 1
Unit 4 | Report 2
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