Descriptive writing

The children in Year 4 have been working really hard to improve the use of description in their writing.
The Big Write task on Friday was to write an opening paragraph about an imaginary setting. It was quite hard for some children so today we had a look at using description to set the scene and create an atmosphere for the reader.

In partners the children had to read each piece of work giving a star and a wish and then using only the words on the page, draw the illustration it created. They found out it was very hard to do this without detailed descriptions about the setting.

Next the children looked closely at this picture,

Here are some fantastic examples of openings. You should be able to tell which picture is being described.

Here is a link to some information about writing stories

Have a go at this quiz here

Listen to Malorie Blackman give tips about how to write good stories here

Here is Malorie's website

MYST

We spent some time exploring this morning and as an extra treat, we continued our Myst Adventure this afternoon.
We left the game on a cliff hanger.

Should we touch it?

Giving instructions to Keaton

Watching anxiously

There must be something important about these.

Go down?

Another door - shall we go in?

Some nervous adventurers

Scared, worried, afraid? What other feelings?

A new leader is given instructions

What can we see, hear, smell and feel?

More nervous adventurers

The excitement is building.

Look at those expressions!

At this point we really did scream!

We are in the lift!

The mysterious person who terrified us.

Who's looking forward to more exploring on Monday?
Using descriptive word choices, write back in full sentences, about how you felt during our journey

Have a great weekend!

A mysterious coded message arrives in Y4

During guided reading Yellow Team read Pandora's box. After a little bit of reciprocal reading, we got ready for Literacy time but before we could begin, Mr Walls had taken delivery of a very interesting chest. Once the mysterious package arrived in class the atmosphere in Y4 was electric.

Initially some children begged me not to open it, after all, Pandora had caused all sorts of trouble letting out those pesky spites.
As a class we decided to take a risk, Bailey proudly announced he was willing to sacrifice himself for us.
Cautiously we opened it ..

This is what we found inside.

Underneath the scrolls we could see a book and what looked like a map, although it was really difficult to see.

What does it say?

The map

Reading the mystery message.

Inside the drawer was a pink crystal and a small box

Another box it open, I wasn't brave enough.

The map

What is inside it?

A very anxious Mrs Warner

Now time to crack the code

Sharing code

More sharing, then it was playtime but we hadn't completed the coded message

Excited children keen to work out the message

Outside Y4

Another word cracked

A completed message

and so our adventure begins!

The mystery delivery

We are really looking forward to finding out more about the journey that awaits us. 

Who can remember the message? Write back and tell me how you feel about our adventure? Are you feeling brave, anxious, excited?

On Thursday you all designed your own MYST journals. Here are some photos of them.