Sealife Topic Literacy Planning

September 2009

GenreLearning Objectives / Strategy ReferencesIdeas and Outcomes
Information TextY4 UNIT 2 - Information texts 

  • Reading and researching marine factfiles from different sources.
  • Evaluating different types of information online; comparing the information presented about differen marine life from different sources. Evaluating the quality of information.
  • Research and write short factfiles for the fish and sea creatures found in Endless Ocean and Finding Nemo.
  • Create a Marine Guide as in Endless Ocean - a small booklet of sealife discovered.
  • Scuba diving gear guide - labelled drawing and diagram.
  • Instructions - sequence of putting on your scuba diving equipment.
  • History of sea diving and exploration.
  • Learn about the life of Jacques Cousteau.
  • National Geographic Ocean Quiz in Google Earth - reading comprehension.
  • What is coral?
  • Creating treasure maps and using as a writing stimulus.
RecountY5 UNIT 2 Recounts

  • Make notes on and use evidence from across a text to explain events or ideas.
  • Compare different types of narrative and information texts and identify how they are structured.
  • Adapt non-narrative forms and styles to write fiction or factual texts, including poems.
  • Create multi-layered texts, including use of hyperlinks and linked web pages.
  • Use a range of ICT programs to present texts, making informed choices about which electronic tools to use for different purposes.
  • Change the order of material within a paragraph, moving the topic sentence.
  • Experiment with the order of sections and paragraphs to achieve different effects.
  • Write a diver's journal about the events of the day in Endless Ocean, including time, depth, species found and other notes of interest.
  • Independently research a topic and create a topic presentation or report.
  • Read articles about sealife topics, endangered species and animal rights.
NarrativeElements of UNIT 1 - Novels and stories by significant children's authors

  • Infer writers' perspectives from what is written and from what is implied.
  • Explore how writers use language for comic and dramatic effects.
  • Compare the usefulness of techniques such as visualisation, prediction and empathy in exploring the meaning of texts.
  • Experiment with different narrative form and styles to write their own stories.
  • Use Endless Ocean as a stimulus to write descriptive accounts of the diving experience.
  • Write a story based on "Discovery" as a title. Finding something in the sea bed that is mysterious and valuable.
  • Buried treasure.
  • Link the writing with the discovery of something (creature or object) in Endless Ocean.
  • Write about escaping an attack from a sea creature - read stories of shark attacks in Australia.
  • Read and write an ancient seaman's tale of giant sea creatures.
Persuasive WritingY5 UNIT 3 - Persuasive writing

  • Identify some different aspects of speech that vary between formal and informal occasions
  • Analyse the use of persuasive language.
  • Present a spoken argument, sequencing points logically, defending views with evidence and making use of persuasive language.
  • Make notes on and use evidence from across a text to explain events or ideas.
  • Create multi-layered texts, including use of hyperlinks, linked with web pages.
  • Reflect on how working in role helps to explore complex issues.
  • Explore the language of debate and practice some simple discussions related to the children's experience.
  • Research and explore some different topics > Coral Reef endangerment > Whaling > Tuna fishing > Shark Attacks > Sustainable fishing in UK waters (GE Link)
  • Explore Takepart.com for a range of issues related to the sea.
PoetryY5 UNIT 1 Poetic style

  • Compare how a common theme is presented in poetry, prose and other media.
  • Use a range of ICT programs to present texts, making informed choices about which electronic tools to use for different purposes.
  • Explain how writers use figurative and expressive language to create images and atmosphere.
  • Read a range of poetry such as "Commotion in the Ocean".
  • Recreate for their own choice of sea creature/fish.
  • Present the poetry in different ways.
  • Combine their poem with a drawing of the creature or with a factfile.
  • Shape poetry.

Books that could be used to support elements of this unit:


Games we will use:

  • Endless Ocean - Nintendo Wii
  • Jenny's Fish Shop - PC

Resources and other websites: