Planning and Activities
Non-fiction
English Year 2 Spring Recounts
Animal Diaries and Recounts
Enjoy Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French. Explore conjunctions and the correct use of present and past tense. Write diary entries in role.
Start with the core unit to introduce key texts. Then select from comprehension, SPAG and composition units.
Unit 1 Core: Introduction to diary features, including person and tense
(suggested as 4 days)
Coping with Lockdown?
With TA/Tutor
TA/Tutor materials are not being created for this unit.
Back to Lockdown?
If your class or school is having to close for a while, these materials provide a home dimension as well as a clear route map outlining what to teach online, and what to practise at home.
You Will Need
Texts
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Unit 2 SPAG: Use past and present forms correctly, including past progressive form
(suggested as 3 days)
Planning and Activities
Coping with Lockdown?
With TA/Tutor
TA/Tutor materials are not being created for this unit.
Back to Lockdown?
If your class or school is having to close for a while, these materials provide a home dimension as well as a clear route map outlining what to teach online, and what to practise at home.
You Will Need
Texts
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Grammar PDF: The Past Tense - Simple and Progressive Forms (see resources)
Unit 3 Comprehension: Read, discuss and write recounts, including diaries
(suggested as 4 days)
Planning and Activities
Coping with Lockdown?
With TA/Tutor
TA/Tutor materials are not being created for this unit.
Back to Lockdown?
If your class or school is having to close for a while, these materials provide a home dimension as well as a clear route map outlining what to teach online, and what to practise at home.
You Will Need
Texts
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Group Readers
The Cat's Journey (provided below)
Group Readers
The Cat's Journey
The Cat's Journey by Ruth Merttens. The cat recounts her long journey in simple language, making it accessible to children who still struggle to read. What makes this a ‘must’ are the original and idiosyncratic illustrations, which carry the story forward simply and effectively.
Unit 4 SPAG: Conjunctions for Subordination
(suggested as 3 days)
Planning and Activities
Coping with Lockdown?
With TA/Tutor
TA/Tutor materials are not being created for this unit.
Back to Lockdown?
If your class or school is having to close for a while, these materials provide a home dimension as well as a clear route map outlining what to teach online, and what to practise at home.
You Will Need
Optional Texts
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Group Readers
Angry Cat (provided below)
Group Readers
Angry Cat
Children will explore feelings with this charming tale of a very angry cat! The simple repeated structure and beautifully drawn illustrations will encourage emerging independent readers to engage with the story and draw parallels with their own feelings as they follow cat’s tale.
Unit 5 Composition: Write an animal diary
(suggested as 4 days)
Planning and Activities
SPaG: Grammar and Punctuation
There is no spelling and grammar presentation for this unit.
You Will Need
Essential text
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Optional Texts
Non-fiction books about British animals
Weblinks
Wildlife on your doorstep from www.bbc.co.uk
Explore wildlife from www.wildlifetrusts.org
Animals at the British Wildlife Centre from www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk