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Year 4

Writing a stormy scene

I can write a descriptive scene about a dark, stormy night.

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New
New
Year 4

Writing a stormy scene

I can write a descriptive scene about a dark, stormy night.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sentences should be said aloud before writing to ensure they make sense and read back once written to check for errors.
  2. Ambitious vocabulary and figurative language create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
  3. Writers choose varied fronted adverbials and different sentence types to ensure the text flows for the reader.
  4. Careful selection of nouns and pronouns ensures cohesion within sentences and across sections of a written piece.
  5. Past simple, progressive and perfect verb forms can be used to improve text cohesion.

Common misconception

Pupils copy notes directly from their plans without forming full sentences.

Pupils should say the sentence aloud first, then write it out. Finally, pupils should check their writing for sense and punctuation.

Keywords

  • Zoom-in - a writing technique that involves starting description with a broad idea and gradually narrowing the focus to explore specific details

  • Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged

  • Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma

  • Past tense - shows that the action happened before now

Encourage pupils to practise writing their sentences on mini-whiteboards after saying their sentences aloud.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a fronted adverbial?
a sentence starter followed by a full stop
a sentence starter followed by a capital letter
Correct answer: a sentence starter followed by a comma
a sentence starter followed by a question mark
Q2.
Order these according to the 'zoom-in' writing technique where a writer starts describing a broad idea and gradually narrows their writing to more specific descriptive details.
1 - sky
2 - moon
3 - rain
4 - trees
5 - leaves
Q3.
When we write, we always try to do which of these things?
Warm up our body and legs.
Correct answer: Plan and say each sentence before we write it.
Sketch a picture of the character.
Correct answer: Write letters neatly on the line in joined handwriting.
Correct answer: Check and improve our writing when we think we have finished.
Q4.
Which of these evoke the most vivid imagery?
Correct answer: sharp and stinging on the skin
under a tree
Correct answer: loud, thunderous boom
in the middle of the road
Q5.
Match the present tense form of the word to its past tense form.
Correct Answer:splatter,splattered

splattered

Correct Answer:howl,howled

howled

Correct Answer:echo,echoed

echoed

Correct Answer:take,took

took

Correct Answer:is,was

was

Q6.
Why is text flow an important element in writing?
It abruptly transitions between paragraphs and sections.
Correct answer: It makes it easier for readers to follow and understand the text.
Readers are more likely to forget information if the text flows well.
Correct answer: Readers are more likely to stay interested and involved in the content.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the words in this sentence are adjectives? 'A downpour of ominous, threatening rain splattered onto the pavement.'
splattered
Correct answer: ominous
Correct answer: threatening
pavement
Q2.
Which of these is the closest in meaning to 'tempestuous'?
Correct answer: stormy, wild or violent
endless or non-stop
thrilling or stunning
splashed or sprinkled
Q3.
Which of these contain an element of personification?
howled like an angry beast
Correct answer: the menacing, deafening thunder boomed
like frenzied serpents
roared like an angry lion
Q4.
Which of these are fronted adverbials of manner?
All around,
Every few minutes,
Correct answer: Mercilessly,
Correct answer: With absolute rage,
Q5.
Fill in the gap: 'The menacing, deafening thunder boomed a haunting rhythm __________ it raged its fury through the land.'
but
Correct answer: and
or
Q6.
Which of these is a relative complex sentence?
The rain splattered in every direction as the wind howled.
The torrential rain poured down like heavy tears.
Correct answer: The torrential rain, which splattered in every direction, poured down.
The pouring rain descended from the heavens.