Genre Prompt Cards

Curtain Opener

.

Clear sentences

Openers

connectives

wide vocabulary

Curtain closer

Assessment card

Curtain opener Clear sentences Openers Connectives

Special vocabulary Curtain closer

1. Non chronological report – saying how things are

Open the curtains with a general statement about the topic.

Write or say some sentences giving details about the topic. Use pictures to help. Write or say some sentences about each picture.

Make sure the sentences are in the present tense.

Use action verbs eg’, falls lives, sleeps.

Use comparisons like faster than, bigger than,

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains with a general statement.

. Life cycle (Y3 Science)

2. Instructions and procedures – Saying how to do

Open the curtains with a ‘How to’ sentence..

Give a list of what is needed. Tell the reader or listener what to do. Explain the steps in the right order. Use short sentences. Use pictures or diagrams to help.

Use openers like ‘First, Then, Next’.

Try out your instructions with a friend to see how clear they are.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains by saying how good it will be to make the item.

something step by step

3. Explanation – saying how something works or why things happen

e.g. Light and Shadows ( Y3 Science)

Open the curtains with a general statement.

Use the present tense. Explain the steps in the right order. Use short sentences. Use pictures or diagrams to help.

Use openers like ‘So, Then, Next’. Use connectives like ’because, so, but’.

A good explanation will answer the what when why how questions.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains with a general statement.

4a. Historical Recount – telling the story of what happened.

Open the curtains with a general statement.

Use the past tense. Tell about the events as they happened.

Use openers like ‘First, Then, Next’. Use connectives like ’because, so, but’. Use the names of people, places and things in your recount. Add details to make it more interesting.

A good recount will answer the who what when where why how questions.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains by summing up.

e.g. e.g. Henry VIII (Y3 History)

4b. Personal Recount – telling the story of what happened.

Open the curtains with a general statement.

Use the past tense. Tell about the events as they happened. Use I and we.

Use openers like ‘First, Then, Next’. Use connectives like ’because, so, but’. Use the names of people, places and things in your recount. Add details to make it more interesting.

A good recount will answer the who what when where why how questions.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains by saying what you think or feel..

e.g. My visit to the mosque

5. Persuasion – arguing for a point of view.

Open the curtains by stating a point of view.

Use the present tense. Give your reasons for your point of view.Don’t use I or me.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains by stating the point of view again.

Open sentences with So, This showsUse connectives like because so, but

e.g. We should do more about the school environment? (Geog. Y4)

6. Discussion – Looking at two sides of an argument

Open the curtains by stating what the argument is.

Give the reasons for.Give the reasons against.Use the present tense.

Use the special words to do with the topic.

Close the curtains by stating what you think is the best answer.

Open sentences with So, This showsUse connectives like because so, but’.

e.g. Life was better in Tudor times than it is now (Geog. Y3/4)