Identifying features of a diary entry to write from 'How To Train Your Dragon'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and analyse layout and linguistic features of a diary entry.
Key learning points
- A diary entry is a type of recount written in the first person.
- A diary entry is informal in its tone.
- The purpose of a diary entry is to recount events and record thoughts and feelings.
- A diary entry can be sequenced in chronological order.
- A diary entry may switch between past, present and future tenses.
Keywords
Purpose - the aim of the text
Recount - a piece of writing that recalls an event or experience
Layout - the way a text is structured
Linguistic features - structures of language that use words
Common misconception
Pupils may think that a diary is written entirely in the past tense.
Examples of present and future tense are referred to and modelled in the examples given. Emphasise repeatedly to pupils that a range of tenses will be used in a diary.
Teacher tip
If pupils need additional consolidation of apostrophes for contraction, explicit lessons on this can be found in the Y5 Grammar unit 'Speech punctuation, parenthesis and apostrophes'.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a diary?
Q2.What does writing in the 'first person' mean?
Q3.Which of these words might a writer use when writing in the first person?
Q4.A diary greeting normally starts with which word?
Q5.What does chronological order mean?
Q6.What usually comes at the very beginning of a diary entry?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions.
the aim of the text
writing that recalls an event or experience
the way a text is structured
structures of language that use words
Q2.What is the purpose of a diary entry?
Q3.Put the following in the order they appear in a diary entry.
Q4.Which of the following linguistic features appear in a diary entry?
Q5.Which tense does the writer use when writing a diary entry?
Q6.Which of the following supports the sequencing of events chronologically?
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Identifying features of a diary entry to write from 'How To Train Your Dragon', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 English lesson on: Identifying features of a diary entry to write from 'How To Train Your Dragon', 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 'How to Train Your Dragon': diary and narrative writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.