Charles Darwin: biographical writing
Downloads can take a few minutes, especially for larger files or slower connections.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on conventions around biographical writing from the Year 5 unit, 'Harriet Tubman: biographical writing'. Pupils research the life and theory of Charles Darwin ahead of planning a biography. New learning includes pupils using a text map in the planning process - a device to organise ideas cohesively in a plan. Pupils use this text map to write with the full range of taught sentence structures across four paragraphs, using a formal tone throughout. This unit prepares pupils to write formally in the Year 6 unit, 'Climate emergency: journalistic report'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- All living things grow, reproduce and interact with their environment.
- Scientists ask questions, make observations and test hypotheses.
- Scientific ideas develop over time.
- Many important scientists have contributed to scientific thinking and theory over time.
- There is a wide variety of living things on Earth.
- All living things have different characteristics, behaviours and adaptations.
- Living things can adapt to their environment over time.
- Some changes over time can be gradual and others can be sudden.
- Traits that help living things survive and reproduce are optimal for their survival.
- Humans have a responsibility to know about the planet in order to protect its complex environment.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on conventions around biographical writing from the Year 5 unit, 'Harriet Tubman: biographical writing'. Pupils research the life and theory of Charles Darwin ahead of planning a biography. New learning includes pupils using a text map in the planning process - a device to organise ideas cohesively in a plan. Pupils use this text map to write with the full range of taught sentence structures across four paragraphs, using a formal tone throughout. This unit prepares pupils to write formally in the Year 6 unit, 'Climate emergency: journalistic report'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- All living things grow, reproduce and interact with their environment.
- Scientists ask questions, make observations and test hypotheses.
- Scientific ideas develop over time.
- Many important scientists have contributed to scientific thinking and theory over time.
- There is a wide variety of living things on Earth.
- All living things have different characteristics, behaviours and adaptations.
- Living things can adapt to their environment over time.
- Some changes over time can be gradual and others can be sudden.
- Traits that help living things survive and reproduce are optimal for their survival.
- Humans have a responsibility to know about the planet in order to protect its complex environment.
Reading, writing & oracy
Charles Darwin: biographical writing
In this unit, pupils research Charles Darwin's life and evolution theory in order to write a biography. The biography is written chronologically, from his early life to university, his trip to the Galapagos and his theory of evolution. Finally, pupils present information about evolution to a group.
7 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Charles Darwin: biographical writing unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary english curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary english programmes.