Diary Entries – Guided Reading Unit (Y3/Y4 | KS2) | 5 Fully Planned Sessions

Ideal for whole-class or small group reading | Focus on a diary entry written by a ghost

This 5-session guided reading unit focuses on the structure and features of a diary entry, using an engaging text based on the diary of a ghost. The unit challenges students to infer the writer’s identity from clues in the text, making it a fun and engaging way to explore diary entries.

Students will learn how to analyse language, make inferences about the writer’s emotions, and understand the structure of a diary entry.

What’s included:
✓ 5 fully planned guided reading sessions
✓ A diary entry text with descriptive language and a twist
✓ Tasks to predict, clarify vocabulary, and explore meaning
✓ Comprehension questions to assess inference, mood, and language use
✓ Clear learning objectives for each session

Why this unit stands out:

• Encourages students to infer emotions and identity through reading
• Stimulates critical thinking through an unexpected twist (the writer is a ghost)
• Helps build students’ understanding of diary writing and narrative voice
• Ideal for fostering creativity as students write their own diary entries from a different perspective

Learning Objectives Covered:

1. Understand the features and structure of a diary entry and infer the feelings and motives of the writer
2. Infer the meaning and mood of a diary entry and make predictions based on the text and illustrations
3. Analyse the language and imagery of a diary entry and write a comprehension question based on the text
4. Evaluate the writer’s perspective and feelings in a diary entry and compare it with other diary entries
5. Synthesize the information and ideas from a diary entry and write a creative diary entry from a different perspective

Ideal for:
Y3, Y4
Whole-class or group guided reading
KS2 literacy lessons or reciprocal reading sessions

Search terms: ks2 guided reading diary entry ghost y3 y4 lower key stage 2 creative writing comprehension inference mood