Foundation Skills Writing 3
Foundation Skills Writing 3
Louis Fidge
•
ritino
Composition
Louis Fidge
~
MACMILLAN
Contents
Page
Scope and sequence iv
Introduct io n vi
Editing checklist 43
IV
Unit 11 Describing characters
Text Type Descri pti ve prose (adven ture/fantasy)
Writing Skills Appreciating aspect s of charact erisat io n; planning and writing
de scri ptio ns of imaginary an d real -life characte rs
v
Teacher's Notes
The texts
Each book in the series introduces pupi ls to a w ide range of te xts and offe rs structured support in
help ing child ren wr ite for many different purposes. The books in clude a wide range of writing
task s including fiction, poetry and non-fiction. The books are carefully graded and are
increment al in difficulty. The books provide a valuable complement to any other resources or
series current ly being used. The fa ct that each unit is st ructured in t he same way makes the books
accessible and easy to use.
vi
Teaching features of the books
Units of work
The re are 20 double-page units of wo rk. Each comp osit ion al writ ing unit is structured in the
same w ay i.e. a stimu lus passage of text, followed by two di fferent levels of activities, There are
also some Punct uation and Handwriting Practice units whi ch have a similar layout.
Focus sect ion Uni t number Now try this Next st eps...
Int rodu cti o n and title Checks understand ing. Indep endent writing
Gets children thinking Draws attenti o n to act ivities based on , and
about t he text f eatures of te xt developed fr om, t he text
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The checklists
These may be fou nd at the bock of the
book and may be used t o help child ren
reflect o n vario us aspects of th e Writing
process.
Unit 1
Planning a story
Focus -
Most stories have a beginning, a middle and an ending. Look at the
story below.
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'-'J'--.. . J)J-. r: Beginn ing
\ ::L - ./ Hare was a very fast runner . One day
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~ Hare was bored. He decided to have a
" i-.~ race with Tortoise.
Middle
At first, Hare ran very fast. Tortoise
walked slowly. Hare was soon a long way
ahead. He looked back and saw Tortoise
behind him. He decided not to hurry, so
he went to sleep under a tree.
Ending
Torto ise kept walking. In a while he
passed Hare, who was still sleeping.
Tortoise walked slowly on. When Hare
woke up, it was too late! Tortoise was at
the finishing line. Tortoise won the race
and Hare lost!
2
o t
Write the sentences in the correct order so they t ell the story.
3 When Hare woke up, To rt o ise was at the f in ish ing lin e.
(~), Rea d the beg in n in g and middle of the story. W rit e your own
ending.
, ~f Beginn ing
~
, ~
;~ll Robe rt lo ok ed after the sheep. One day he was fed up
I £' \ so he played a trick . He shouted to the peo p le in the
~3.', I village and t old them a wolf was comi ng. They ran to
J~~/ help. Robert laug hed at them and said it was a joke.
_:-\ Middle
:~ -~\\ The next day wh en Robert was lo oking after th e sheep
c. ~ ' a w o lf real ly di d come . Robert was fri ght ened . He
. ;:iI~:;'
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(~> Use the copymast er to help you write you r own st ory .
3
Unit 2
Punctuation practice (1
- Capital letters and full stops
~ is a wild onim~.
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Most sentences end with a full sto~
Write the sentences correctly. Put in the missing capital letters and
full stops.
4
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Copy this rhyme . Use your best handwriting. Think of a good word
to finish it.
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t se
(f>Copy this story. Use your best handwriting. Think of a good
word to finish it. so
.......
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Writing a report
Focus - -
Sam's t eacher asked her t o w rit e about an an imal she liked . She
chose the panda. She looked up some inf ormat ion in books .
This is Sam's report. What do you not ice about it?
M~ report on pondo,s ~
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WMi p~ laak Ilh.
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TM. panda. has Q fut bacLj. Q ju.a. smell ears ~
round,
and Q liuck patch, oround, each. ~e . It has <L M
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bI.a.d. and whl.t£ coai wtu.eh lJ5 V'€nj thi.ck. 1t5 cool
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~ t1u. panda. wnrm, in, cold. wwlhv-. TM.
min,
WMi p~ eol
A panda. has bLg s.t.rong and JC1Mf3. It eats huqe, orricunts of ba.m.boo.
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T~ V5 <L Ujpe of ~ plant and V5 ~ tcuqh, Pondo,s spend, about
'fou.rt.un hours eozh, ~ ecilin.g. TM. re& of t1l£ hrnz t.Mlj spend, ~.
Bab8 pan.dtM
Bab~ pandas are celled. cubs. Tfuuj are ~ whzn t.Mlj are born. TM.
mother pcrido. ~ aft<u- ruu- cubs unhl t.Mlj are ctd, encuqh, to lwe
\ elena. Thus L6 whzn, ~ are about ei.<J1Wm ITUJTllh.6 oW..
/
(!.) Plan and write a report about an animal you know well. It may
be a pet you have. It may be an animal that you see on a farm.
It may be an animal that lives in your country.
~-, .
~, I Now plan and wnte a
report about an animal
you don't know very
well. Use a reference
book to help you find
some information.
Choose some suitable
headings to help you
organise your
information.
Unit 5
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~ Here is anothe r story starter. Continue the story ) "
in your own w o rd s. Give it a ha ppy ending. ,,-_ ~
Once upon a tim e there was a dragon called ::5;t.g.~
_.
Dirk. He lived on his o w n in a dark forest. Dirk ~ I D ___
11
Unit 6
predictable pattern
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This poem rhymes. It is set out in verses. Each verse begins in the
same way. There are four lines in each verse. Have fun reading it
together.
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r hi
Go to the to fill up th e _
Were visiting , near an d _
5 Copy and complete these lin es in verse 2:
Stop at the fo r so mething to _
(i), Copy these verses. Think of a good word to finish each v erse.
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A q uestion begins with a capital letter and ends with a question mark.
5 where is my boo k
14
Nex e ~
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Match each question with the correct answer.
Then write them correctly, like this:
What colour is the sun? The sun is yellow.
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1 What colour is the sun? ---_'
,
It is in England. 1 'l~ .
2 What are you doing? \ ,,
My birthday is in March.
3 Where is London? ',- -- The su n is yellow.
hol iday.
(~} Here are the answers to some questions. What do you think the
questions were? Write each question and answer correctly.
h
How does each animal move? Write the answers.
Use your best handwriting.
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16
rj) What does each person do? Match the beginning of each
sentence to the correct ending. Write each sentence correctly.
Use your best handwriting .
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Unit 9
F
We can learn a lot from pictures or diagrams and the labels and
captions that accompany them. Look at Sarah's work on trees. Is it
easy to understand? Flowers - - - - - -- - - - - - - ,
Leaves Many trees have flowers. Insects such
The leaves make the as bees, or the wind, carry pollen
food for the tree . from one flower to another. This
They make food from makes the seeds for new trees.. ?
water and a gas in (J. ~Q~4P ~
the air called corban .o., V7f1. ~~ ~~ ~
~ioxide. They need c-zy~ ~t/~~0!~~ q .!f$ ~
light to help make ~r' ~\ V {/\.J o ~ U
their food. > < :.2 '?
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Trunk po 0-Y seeds
Every tree has a I Some trees
trunk. This is grow fruit.
covered with bark. Inside the fruit
The bark stops the are seeds. A
trees from getting nut is a kind
too hot or too cold. of large seed.
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Grow th rings - - - - ---,
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Roots - -- - - - - - - -.,
When a tree is cut down, The roots of a tree go a long
you can count the rings and way into the ground. They help
see how o ld it is. One ring the tree to stand up. The roots
stands for one year. soak up water for the tree.
Write two interesting things you have found out about each of
these.
1 the tree trunk 2 tree roots 3 leaves
4 flowers on trees 5 the fruit and seeds of trees
6 growth rings
Has Sarah presented her work on trees in a sensible way? Give
reasons for your answer.
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(3\ Use the copymaster for more work on writing information from
'-'
a picture with labels.
Unit 10
Have you eve r had an experience you will never forget ? Ben has
written abo ut the time he got lost.
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I w il l never forget the day my mum and dad took me into town
and I got lost! I remember that it was very hot. My dad got ang ry
because he could not find a parking space.
It was so bu sy and noisy in the town centre . There were peop le
everywhere. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry. I had to hold my
dad's hand tightly. The roads were crowded with cars an d bikes an d
hu ge lorries. We went into a clothes sho p and my mum bought a
skirt. Then we stopped by a large w at er fountain. It w as lovely and
cool. My mum bought me an ice cream. My mum and dad sat down
on a wooden seat to rest in the shade of a t ree. I soo n got bored so
I splashed my hands in the cool water.
Then I not iced a toy sho p which looked interesting. I w ent over to
look in the window. I don't kno w how long I w as th ere but when
I turned to look fo r my par ents I couldn't see them. I could n't
remember where they were sitting. I ran here and t here looki ng for
them and calling out, but they were nowhe re in sig ht. They had
disappeared! I began to fee l scared. Everyt h ing lo ok ed strange.
I began to cry. Then suddenly I hea rd a voice call ing my name. It was
my dad! I ran towards him and threw myself int o his arms. I was safe!
I wasn't lost anymore!
1 Who were the main characters in Ben's story?
2 Where did the story take place?
3 What was the weather like?
4 Were there many people in the town?
5 What sort of noises do you thin k Ben heard in t ow n?
6 How did Ben get lost?
7 How did Ben feel when he was lost ?
8 Do you think it was silly of Ben t o go off alone ? W hy?
/
Write about.
• who you were with.
• where you were.
• what you were doing,
'1 :
\....
how you felt and what t houghts
how it ended, )
a> Writ e about another day in your life you will never forget.
Write about:
• th e happiest memory in your lif e or
• th e most f ri g htening experie nce yo u can remember.
Unit 11
Describing characters
F
Every story has some characters in it. When you write, you need to
describe the cha racters carefu lly. Read this description of the Wizwoz.
Look at the wards the author uses to describe him. ~
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Now write a descr ipt ion of someone
(_ you k.now very well It can be a friend,
_- ~ someone in your f amily or your t eacher .
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Unit 12
Writing instructions
u
When we write instructions it is helpful to add a 'what you need'
section at the beg inning . Why do you think this is?
30 cm
1
22 crn-:
Fold the sheet in Fold the two top Then fold them over
half. corners into the to the middle again.
Then unfold it. middle.
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I
\,--/ These instructions tell you how to make
some banana milkshakes. Copy them and
arrange them so they are easy to read .
Set out your instructions like those
opposite. (Use the copymaster to help you.)
You need 2 glasses of cold milk, 2 bananas,
4 scoops of vanilla ice cream, a fork, a bowl.
Peel the bananas. Put them in a bowl. Mash
the bananas with a fork. Add the milk. Stir the
mixture until it is smooth. Add the ice cream.
Mix in the ice cream until the mixture is smooth .
Carefully pour the milkshakes into the glasses.
Enjoy your milkshakes.
,-,
(~> Write some instructions for:
• washing your hair or /
• making a cup of tea. • Remember to give your
instructions a title.
• Next, write what you need,
• Then write clear steps on
what you have to do .
25
Unit 13
26
e
(~) Use the copymaster for extra punctuation pract ice in using
commas in lists.
27
Unit 14
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Use the copymaster for more handwriting practice.
29
Unit 15
Fa
This poem is all about the sou nds yo u hear in a rainforest. Read the
poem as a cla ss. Divide into g roups and take different parts.
Practise the sounds first. ') ; )
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Verse 1 We are the trees in th e forest that \: .J
Swish, swish, swish r-~ '
Chorus And we are the winds that ~ )oJ, ) ~~r:
Blo w, blow, blow. '- J )j
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Verse 2 We are the streams in the forest that , ~ n ,/ ~ ~Y2.. _ ,
Tin k le, t inkle, tinkle. ~
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Chorus And we are the winds that
Blo w, blow, blow. C
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Stvisl-t
Verse 4
Chorus
Now try this -
1 What is the title of the poem?
2 What noise do each of th ese make:
6 Did you like the poem ? W rite and say what you thought of it.
(1) Copy the names of the animals a nd the noises they make.
@ Write some more v erses for the Forest Sounds poem. Write
about some animals in the f o rest and the no ises they ma ke.
Remember to write t he chorus after each ve rse. (Use the
copymaster to help you.)
(-\
t~ ' Make up your own poem a bout sou nds in schoo l. Your poem
does not have to rhyme. Make a list of ten diff erent sounds yo u
, ~-
hear. Set it out like this:
Schoo l Sounds
Children are sho ut ing .
'J' ~ ,~ ., Children are laughing.
iJ.~ ~ \ oq ~ Doors are bangi ng .
t Clocks are tickin g. il
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31
Unit 16
Describing settings
of the setting helps peopl e who read your story. It let s them see a
Read the beginning of th e story. Where does the story take place?
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Anna and Tom passed the big house every day on their way home
from school. Who lived there? No one knew. It always seemed empty.
They never saw anyone. Through the big iron gates they could just
see the beginning of the garden. All around the outside of the
garden was a high wall .
One day Anna and Tom were bored. They decided to have an
adventure. They decided to explore the garden. They climbed the
high wall and jumped down on the other side. They stopped and
looked and listened. There was no one about.
The garden was lovely. It had long grass to hide in. There were lots
of tall trees to climb. Their branches nearly reached the ground.
Brightly-coloured birds sat on the trees and sang sweetly. Anna and
Tom stood still and listened to their songs for a while. Everywhere
they looked there were beautiful flowers of every kind and colour.
Their scent filled the air. Bees hummed busily, and butterflies
fluttered all around them. A winding path led to a pond where frogs
croaked happily. The air was still and the sun shone warmly. The
garden was a magical place.
Anna and Tom began to explore the rest of the garden ...
o t thl
1 What did Anna and Tom pass every day on their way home from
school?
~<;~ ~ .~~
9 Where d id the path lead ?
somewhere else.
33
Unit 17
Writing a letter
F (
People write letters f or d ifferent reasons. Emma wrote a 'thank-you'
letter t o her Gran . Emma's father wrote a letter to her teacher.
28 Runc..o-rn C~,
Luton.
LU2 8RX
J UJI.Q. 8th
Dear Crnn,
Thcnk ~ou .for t.M. ~ ~ou _ sznl rT\Q, .for rTUj
b~ . I ~ wnnlzd, a. nJ2)N
pcur of l:ralnv-s .for <L Long tJ./nQ.. Now I will. hove. t.M. ~ to ~ thzrnl T~
pcurI want ore sJ.!>m- wtlh, I:icLcR ~ . TM,y will hzlp IT\Q. run, a1 our ..fo&
schooi sports ~ nzxt ~.
I ' m so rr y t hat Emma was no t i n s cnoo l y est erd ay. Sh e vi as SlCK and had a l 'ad
st mach ache . I thi nk she at e t au mud at he r birthday par t y l ec t n i qht :
Enmld seems f ine now, but I wout i be gr atefu l i f you would kepp ar eye on
he r t oday and 1e t me know 'j f she does no t ea L hpr 1Linch .
Your s si nce r el v.
Mr J Woods
No r
1 What date is on each letter?
processor?
10 Why do you think Emma has written her letter by hand ?
11 Draw a rectangle 12 cm by 15 cm in yo ur book. Imagi ne it is the
f ront of an envelope. Write your name and ad dress neatly and
clearly. -: ~
@Use the copyrncste r t o
help you plan your letter .
~
• Remember t o set out
your letter correct ly.
G) Imagine your aunt or uncle sends you some money for your
birthday . Write a thank-you letter. Explain what you will buy
and give your reas ons. Tell you r aunt o r uncle another piece of
new s.
o tr
Imagine you see a horrible monster. Copy the things you say.
Put in the missing capital letters and exclamation marks.
1 help &rr;
2 get away fram me ~ / ~ """\ f?>
3 what a horrible monster • Jj
4 run for it
5 I've never seen anything so ugly
6 look out
7 it's getting closer ,.
8 what a hairy body
9 I don't think it likes me
10 what nasty teeth it has got
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8 Who is the captain of the team
9 What is the ti me
_.....
37
Unit 19
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(!;,. Copy these riddles. Use your best handwriting. Fill in each
correct answer.
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39
Unit 20
Writing a playscript
F cu
A play usually has two or more characters in it. How can you tell
every time a new charact er speaks?
T II
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Storyteller: Once upon a time there were three Billy Goats Gruff. One
day they looked at the grass on the other side of the river.
Big Billy Goat Gruff: The grass over there looks sweet and green.
Middle Billy Goat: Let's go across the bridge and eat some.
Little Billy Goat Gruff: Co me on, then.
Storyteller: Away we nt t he t hree Billy Goats Gruff. Little Billy Goat
Gruff came to th e bridge ove r t he river first. His feet clopped on
the bridge - trip, trap, trip-trap, trip-trap. But a nasty old troll
lived under the bridge.
The troll: Who's that walking over my bridge?
Little Billy Goat Gruff: It's me, Little Billy Goat Gruff. I'm going to eat
the sweet green grass.
The troll: Oh, no you're not! I'm coming to gobble you up!
Little Billy Goat Gruff: No ! No! Don't eat me! I'm too little. My big
brother is coming soon . He is bigger than I am. You can eat him.
The troll: Very well, then . You can go.
Storyteller: So Little Billy Goat Gruff ran over the bridge. Soon,
Middle Billy Goat Gruff came onto the bridge. His feet clopped
on the bridge - trip, trap, trip-trap, trip-trap.
No
1 Who are the main character in the play?
2 What can you tell about t he goats by their names?
3 W here does the play take place?
4 What do the goats want to do?
5 Do you like the troll? Give some reasons for your answer.
e
Ci>Copy and compl et e the next part of the play.
The troll : Who's that walking over my bridge?
Middle Billy Goat Gruff: It's me, Billy Goat Gruff. I'm
going to eat the _
The troll : Oh, no you're not! I'm coming _
Middle Billy Goat Gruff: No! No! Don't me!
(~) W rite a pl ay script for the last part of the story. (Use the
copymas t er to help you.) The st ory ends like t his :
Big Bill y Goat Gruff was not afraid of the troll. He
butted him into the water. Then he walked across
t he bridge and jo ined his brothers on the other
side. Th e nasty old troll was never seen again !
41
Steps to help you write well
Cl}' Editing
• . Check your work for mistakes. (Use the Editing checklist to help you.)
Check your handwriting. (Use the Handwriting checklist to help you.)
• Ask a friend or your teacher to check your work, too.
/ -.
I
• When you have f in ished your worK, reod it through .
• Use this checKlist t o help you th inK obout your worK.
• ChecK for any changes you need to rnoxe.
Punctuation
• Do your sentences begin with capital letters and end wit h full
stops?
• Have you checked your work for ot her punctuation ma rks, su ch
as question ma rks, exclamation marks, commas, et c?
Sentences
• Do all your sentences make sense?
• Can you make some changes or add any words t o make your
sentences more interesting?
Handwriting
!' Is your handwriting clear and easy to read? (See the Handwriting
Checklist.)
Spelling
• Have you checked your work for spelling mistakes?
• Are there any words you are not sure about ?
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