This week we have started a new English Unit based around the premise of Defeating the Monster.  As always we will be using a model text to support our learning and our text this time is called ‘Zelda and the Rain Cat’.  We are sure this will capture the children’s imaginations and inspire some excellent written work.

During the unit, key skills taught will include:

Conjunctions to link words, phrases or clauses together.  They will be encouraged to use FANBOYS which is an acronym for (for, and, nor, but, or, yet , so) and a range of subordinating conjunctions which tell the reader when, why or where something happens.

Show not Tell where the writer uses description to explain emotions rather than directly saying.  For example if the main character was scared of a monster approaching they could write…. He knees trembled as the ferocious beast edged closer.  This would indicate the main character was scared but without actually saying so.

Creating tension through the use of different sentence structures.  Complex sentences to provide more information and detail for the reader and short snappy sentences for added suspense.

Our Spelling lessons will focus on -ous and -tion and we have carefully selected an additional five year 3/4 words to learn each week which link well to the English Unit.  We hope the children will go on to use these words in their innovate and independent write.

The children have already completed the WOW starter where they have created their own monster, described its appearance and thought about verbs for the way it moves.  This creature will be used in their innovate write later in the learning journey but already the children have shared some great ideas.

Please see below for a copy of the text and story map.

story map for Zelda and the Cat (blog version)

A3 text – Pupil copy