Writing the opening of a diary entry based on 'Into the Forest'
I can write the opening of a diary entry based on ‘Into the Forest’.
Writing the opening of a diary entry based on 'Into the Forest'
I can write the opening of a diary entry based on ‘Into the Forest’.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The recount in a diary entry is written mainly in the past tense.
- The present perfect tense shows unfinished past actions or past actions that are still relevant now.
- The auxiliary verb ‘has’ or ‘have’ is joined to the main verb to change simple past tense into perfect present tense.
- Contractions are one element of informal language in a diary entry.
- A range of sentence types, including adverbial complex sentences, should be used in a diary entry.
Keywords
Exaggeration - overstating for dramatic effect
Perfect present tense - the tense used to describe something that started in the past, but has not yet ended
Auxiliary verb - the helping verb that is always paired with a main verb
Contraction - a shortened way of writing two words where some letters are left out and an apostrophe is used in their place
Adverbial complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and an adverbial subordinate clause
Common misconception
Children may struggle to turn a simple past tense sentence into a perfect present tense sentence, especially when this involves changing the main verb.
Explore simple past tense examples where the main verb needs changing as well. E.g. 'It was' becomes 'It has been'.
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Writing the opening of a diary entry based on 'Into the Forest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 4 english lesson on: Writing the opening of a diary entry based on 'Into the Forest', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the 'Into the Forest': diary writing unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
You need a copy of the 2022 Puffin Books edition of ‘Into the Forest’ by Anthony Browne for this lesson.
Licence
Lesson video
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
I have had the craziest day ever.
I have felt overwhelmed all day.
Today has been a challenging day.