Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Writing the middle of the story: 'The Magic Porridge Pot'

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write the middle of the story.

      Key learning points

      1. Sequencing language can be used at the start of a sentence, such as 'Suddenly,'
      2. The middle of a story introduces the main plot and problem, such as the porridge overflowing
      3. Rehearsing a sentence out loud before writing it helps us to remember it
      4. Reading a sentence back after writing helps to check it makes sense
      5. Using an exclamation mark at the end shows shock or excitement

      Keywords

      • Plot - what happens in the story

      • Middle - the section of something in between the beginning and end

      • Problem - an issue arising

      • Exclamation mark - a punctuation mark used to express strong emotion

      • Verb - a doing or being word

      Common misconception

      Pupils may want to use an exclamation mark for every sentence or overuse them.

      When you introduce exclamation marks, 'give' each child one exclamation mark to put in their pockets. Tell them they can only have one, so they should only get it out of their pocket when they think it is the best place to use it.

      Teacher tip

      Consider the pupils you are teaching and what they are able to write. If necessary, adapt the outcome for some children to stick to writing one sentence per picture. Provide as many scaffolds as necessary, including repeated sentence stems and word banks.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which word is the adjective in this sentence: Jin lived in a tiny village.

      lived
      Correct answer: tiny
      village

      Q2.
      Match the word to the word class from this sentence: She ran through the leafy forest.

      Correct Answer:ran,verb

      verb

      Correct Answer:leafy,adjective

      adjective

      Correct Answer:forest,noun

      noun

      Q3.
      Choose the correct word to complete this sentence: Fairy tales are...

      Correct answer: fiction
      non-fiction
      poems
      authors

      Q4.
      Choose the correct word to complete this sentence: Every sentence starts with a...

      full stop
      noun
      Correct answer: capital letter
      adjective

      Q5.
      Identify the verbs.

      she
      Correct answer: hurried
      home
      Correct answer: cooked

      Q6.
      Order these events that take place in the story 'The Magic Porridge Pot'.

      1 - An old woman gave Jin a magical pot.
      2 - Jin said the magical words twice and the pot overflowed.
      3 - The streets of the village were flooded with porridge.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which sentences end in exclamation marks?

      Jin was amazed.
      Correct answer: The pot overflowed with porridge!
      She met an old woman.
      Correct answer: It was a disaster!

      Q2.
      Which is the correct definition of a verb?

      a naming word for people, places and things
      describes a noun
      Correct answer: a doing or being word

      Q3.
      Identify the sentences that include sequencing language.

      Correct answer: Then, Jin whispered the magic words.
      Jin whispered the magic words.
      Correct answer: After that, the pot made tasty porridge.
      The pot made tasty porridge.

      Q4.
      Which verb would best fill the gap in this sentence: Jin __________ home.

      cooked
      played
      talked
      Correct answer: ran

      Q5.
      Identify the sentence that make complete sense.

      The porridge the village.
      The porridge flooded village.
      Correct answer: The porridge flooded the village.
      The flooded the village.

      Q6.
      Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

      the pot burst with porridge.
      Correct answer: The pot burst with porridge!
      The pot burst with porridge
      the pot burst with porridge!

      To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Writing the middle of the story: 'The Magic Porridge Pot', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...