Christmas around the World - Non -Chronological Report Writing

These resources provide a step by step guide to non-chronological report writing themed on ‘Christmas around the World’.
The children can research the Christmas traditions independently or as a homework task. Alternatively, the teacher can facilitate a ‘talk for writing’ session to build up facts before the mind map task.

The resources include 2 main presentations.
‘Christmas around the World’ presentation deals with 4 countries (United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Poland)
It includes:
flashcards for the ‘signposts’ of a report
mind map pro forma
points for discussion

Children should complete the mind map of at least 2 countries first. Then they compose a ‘lively’ title and write two paragraphs initially. Simple editing can take place if required.
‘Report Writing Part 2’ deals with the continuation of the report.
It includes:

• learning intention and success criteria
• a brief recap on what has gone before
• a ‘quick dash’ on the structure of the report - sub-headings, paragraphs etc.
• a close look at continuing the mind map for the remaining countries
• opportunities to use whiteboards to compose factual sentences as a ‘warm up’ before independent writing
• ‘turn and talk’ to share writing with peers
• a writer’s checklist
• a challenge for ‘fast finishers’ - glossary task

These writing tasks can be used for a variety of age groups and can be differentiated according to outcome and the amount of scaffolding provided, Children can write a simple report or a more extended piece of writing which can be developed over several writing sessions.
I have included several jpeg files with slide shots to enable teachers to preview the resources more fully. I have also provided a ‘printer friendly’ version of the first PowerPoint to save costs if any of the slides need printed.

My children have experienced a great deal of success in report writing when using this step by step approach. The tasks provide breadth, challenge and active tasks are embedded to reinforce and consolidate report writing. The specific countries can be changed easily if needed.
It would also be easy to change the focus to :

• New Year traditions
• Easter Traditions
• Other countries of your choice
  Many thanks for free use clip art provided by http://www.clipartlord.com/