Dunkirk Year 5/6 Mixed-Age Writing Unit
Complete 2–3 Week Scheme of Work | Ready to Teach
Bring history to life with this engaging, highly scaffolded writing unit based on the Dunkirk evacuation (1940). Designed for Year 5/6 mixed-age classes, this resource supports pupils in producing three high-impact outcomes:
Stranded Soldier’s Diary Entry
Personal Letter Home
Setting Description
Built around the Gradual Release model (I Do, We Do, You Do), this unit develops confident, independent writers.
What’s Included
Full Scheme of Work with lesson-by-lesson slides
Reading into Writing immersion lesson (extracts, photographs + word mat)
Short-burst writing in every lesson
The “Camera Lens” planning approach (Sky, Sea, Sand, Rescue)
Word mats for every lesson
Vocabulary banks (natural vs mechanical imagery)
3EXS model texts (Year 6 standard)
10 daily contextualised dictation sentences using Year 5/6 statutory spellings
Lesson Sequence
Reading into writing - exploring extracts and photographs
Relative clauses & similes
Expanded noun phrases
Diary writing
Passive voice & personification
Parenthesis & dashes
Letter writing
Cohesion & tone shifts
Planning & drafting (2-part setting description)
Format
PDF resources
Editable PowerPoint slides
Printable models, activities, and word mats
Perfect for
Mixed Year 5/6 classes
Low-prep, high-impact teaching
Schools prioritising high-quality writing outcomes
Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 30%
A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
Bundle
UKS2 6x Writing Units
UKS2 Writing Unit Bundle This comprehensive bundle includes 6 fully resourced writing units for Upper Key Stage 2: * Francis * Rock, Paper, Scissors * Little Freak * The Lighthouse * Dunkirk Setting Description (including diary and letter writing in role as a soldier) * Non-Chronological Report: Children During WWII Each unit follows a clear and structured gradual release model (I do, We do, You do), ensuring pupils build confidence and independence in their writing. Lessons are carefully sequenced to include short burst writing opportunities, allowing pupils to practise and apply the specific skill taught in each session. What’s included in every unit: Full day-by-day teaching slides High-quality WAGOLLs (What A Good One Looks Like) Word mats to support vocabulary development Daily dictation activities incorporating Year 5/6 statutory spellings, linked to the context of the unit A clear overview of the planning sequence These units are designed to support progression, deepen understanding, and produce purposeful, engaging writing outcomes. Please see individual resource descriptions for more detailed breakdowns of each unit and learning sequence.
£25.00
Bundle
UKS2 WW2 Writing Bundle (2 units)
WW2 Writing Bundle – Evacuation & Dunkirk (UKS2) A fully resourced writing bundle combining two engaging WW2 units: 1️. Non-chronological report on children’s evacuation (Operation Pied Piper) 2️. Atmospheric setting description inspired by Dunkirk Designed for Upper KS2, this sequence builds historical understanding alongside high-quality writing, with a strong focus on grammar, vocabulary, and authorial choices. Check out each individual resource for more detail. What’s Included * Day-by-day PowerPoints for both units (fully sequenced lessons) * Detailed planning for each writing outcome * WAGOLLs and expected models (annotated for clarity) * Word mats with key vocabulary and sentence stems * Activities following a clear I Do → We Do → You Do approach Writing Outcomes Non-chronological report explaining evacuation, including journey, experiences, and impact Setting description (Dunkirk) focusing on atmosphere, tension, and imagery - with diary and letter writing opportunities within the unit. Ideal for cross-curricular History & English Fully scaffolded progression leading to independent, high-quality writing.
£7.00
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