Different stories by the same author
(3 weeks)

This is the third of a block of four narrative units in Year 2. It builds on children's knowledge and experience from units 1 and 2.

Phase 1

Read several books by the same author (in shared and independent reading). Compare similarities and differences and express personal response. Find out more about the author. Draw attention to features of the author's style.

Phase 2

Explore characterisation in an author's books by gathering evidence from the text, interpreting information and responding imaginatively through drama activities. Pose and answer questions about particular characters and look for evidence of change during the course of the story.

Phase 3

Work collaboratively in a group to investigate the style of another author. Each group member reads at least one book and evaluates in writing. Discuss and agree on features of the author's style and a favourite to recommend to the class.

Phase 4

Use drama and discussion to explore ideas for a new story about a character created by one of the chosen authors. Children plan and write their own complete stories, with: consistent use of third person and past tense; descriptions of settings and characters; some dialogue.

Overview

• (Reading and response): Introduce a particular author and display a collection of their work. Demonstrate how to find out about the author, for example from blurb or websites, and make notes. Read several short stories, for example series of books that put the main character(s) into different situations. Encourage children to read more by the same author.
• (Analysis): Compare specific features of the books read, including characters, events, settings. Collect information about the main character(s) and use this to make predictions about how they will behave in different settings or in response to different events. Explore the character's feelings in different situations using improvisation.
• (Speaking and listening): Provide groups of children with a collection of books by a particular author. Each child reads at least one complete book and reports back to the group, explaining their response and identifying important aspects. Group collaborate to identify common features and information about the author to present to the class.
• (Writing): Children select a character created by one of the authors they have read. Discuss/role-play what that character would do in a particular situation and note ideas for a story plan.
• Children write a sustained story about this character. Demonstrate how to include dialogue and detail to expand the story and sustain the reader's interest. Support children in using third person and past tense consistently.

1998 Framework objectives covered:

Year 2, Term 3: T4 compare books by the same author; T5 read about authors; T10 write sustained stories.