Self-editing a journalistic report based on 'When The Sky Falls'
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can edit my own journalistic report based on ‘When the Sky Falls’, aiming to improve the punctuation, text cohesion and vocabulary.
Key learning points
- Editing is a critical part of the writing process. A growth mindset helps us benefit most from editing.
- Writing is most successful when editing is used to rethink, rephrase and reconsider first ideas.
- Editing is most successful when it is chunked by punctuation, sentence structure, vocabulary and cohesive devices.
- We can connect ideas in a range of different ways, using different cohesive devices - there is rarely only one way.
- We use a less formal tone when quoting real people's speech; we use a formal tone elsewhere in our text.
Keywords
Growth mindset - a desire to keep developing any skill set
Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion
Formal tone - the effect created by using serious, factual language
Common misconception
Pupils may have all characters using the same language in direct speech.
Encourage pupils to think about the 'voice' of each character - how might they speak?
Teacher tip
Ensure you clearly explain your own school procedures for rewriting passages and model how to do this on the page; we want to make it as easy as possible for pupils to rewrite small sections of their text in a way that can still be understood.
Content guidance
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 of these features would not be included in the conclusion of our journalistic report?
Q2.What features of a conclusion are shown in this sentence? 'Margaret Blackwood, a council spokesperson, said that the council would be happy to help rebuild the zoo in the future.'
Q3.What features of a conclusion are shown in this sentence? '"We know these events are upsetting," she added, "but the right decision was made."'
Q4.Which example below uses direct speech correctly?
Q5.Which example below punctuates direct speech correctly?
Q6.Jun says, "Completing our first draft is the end of the writing process." Which response is correct?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Put these steps of the writing process in order.
Q2.Which of these are true of editing and improving work?
Q3.Which sentence has commas used correctly?
Q4.Which cohesive device can be seen in this sentence? 'The zoo, which now has few animals remaining, suffered severe damage in the raid.'
Q5.What features in this passage show the informality we can use in some direct speech? '“And I still can’t believe it’s happened...” he said.'
Q6.Which option below shows the most formal tone?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Self-editing a journalistic report based on 'When The Sky Falls', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Self-editing a journalistic report based on 'When The Sky Falls', 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 'When the Sky Falls': narrative and journalistic report writing unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.