Writing the first paragraph of a diary entry based on 'The Journey'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can write the first paragraph of a diary entry.
Key learning points
- Diary entries use informal language that reflect the character who is writing.
- Writers switch between the present tense and past tense in diary entries.
- First person perspective is the point of view where the writer is the ‘I’ character.
- Fronted adverbials of time recount the chronology of events.
- Notes from a plan are used to help form full sentences.
Keywords
Tense - tells the reader when something happens
First person - the ‘I/we’ perspective
Informal language - language and vocabulary that is used for more casual and relaxed purposes
'show-not-tell' - a writing technique for showing a character’s feelings with description of their actions, body language and facial expressions
Common misconception
Pupils may shift into writing from the third person perspective.
Pause at regular intervals during the writing process and have pupils read back and check for consistent use of the first person.
Teacher tip
Give pupils the chance to practise using the notes from their plans to say full sentences aloud before writing them down.
Equipment
You will need a copy of the 2016 Flying Eye Books edition of ‘The Journey’ by Francesa Sanna for this lesson.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
Q2.Match the word class to its example.
country
lonely
travelled
quickly
Q3.When writing our dairy entry, we can use our to help us.
Q4.What are the different sentence types you can use in your writing?
Q5.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Q6.Which sentence is written in the first person?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of a greeting?
Q2.What is the simple past tense?
Q3.Which of the following are examples of the progressive past tense?
Q4.Language in a diary entry is formal.
Q5.Which sentence uses show-not-tell language?
Q6.Which sentence uses an apostrophe for contraction accurately?
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing the first paragraph of a diary entry based on 'The Journey', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Writing the first paragraph of a diary entry based on 'The Journey', 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 'The Journey': diary writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.