Writing a Riverside Setting Description

The intention with these lessons was to describe a riverbank setting using illustrations and film clips as stimuli before editing and re-writing their work. I used these materials as a series of 3 – 4 lessons with mixed ability LKS2 classes, usually Year 4.

The materials include;

1. Riverbank notes – a sheet which encourages pupils to think in terms of their senses when organising their notes and ideas.
2. Riverbank notes top – a sheet as above but also encouraging consideration of the weather encountered and useful conjunctions, adjectives and adverbs that might be used.
3. Riverbank notes top pic – a picture stimulus for use with the above.
4. Inspiration sheet – this is a selection of additional items to help develop notes.
5. Writing prompt bottom – a sequence of questions to inspire descriptive answers.
6. Writing prompt mid – a sheet with a picture and advisory marking ladder for reference during the writing process.
7. Writing prompt top – a sheet similar to the above but with a more extensive advisory marking ladder for reference during the writing process.
8. Riverbank Setting PowerPoint - this is intended to take pupils through a process of note taking, drafting and editing, with reference to the other materials.
9. River Clip 1 – A riverside film clip (32 sec) for use as part of the PowerPoint presentation to encourage pupils to listen as well as look.
10. River Clip 2 – A longer film clip (59 sec) from a different perspective and with more to see and hear.

I would recommend checking the PowerPoint beforehand as it may be necessary to re-link the film clips on the appropriate slides.