Year 4 Diary Entry/Recount Resource (Two Weeks)

This two-week resource supports Year 4 pupils in developing their skills in writing diary entries and recounts.

The unit focuses on exploring the key features of a recount, including:

Writing in the first person and using personal pronouns.

Using past tense consistently to retell events.

Sequencing events clearly with time connectives (e.g. first, then, after that, finally).

Including descriptive detail and emotions to engage the reader.

Structuring writing with a clear opening, middle, and ending.

Over the two weeks, children will read and analyse model diary entries, identify the features of recount writing, and practise using them in short writing tasks. The unit builds up to children planning, drafting, and writing their own diary entry based on a shared experience, story, or historical event.

The resource includes opportunities for:

Guided reading of example diary entries.

Vocabulary building and grammar practice.

Oral retelling of events to strengthen sequencing skills.

Step-by-step writing activities leading to a final polished diary entry.

By the end of the unit, pupils will have a secure understanding of recount features and increased confidence in writing in a diary style, expressing both what happened and how they felt.

This resource includes:

• Lesson plan
• Resources
• Links
• PPT
• Worksheets