Genre Prompt
Cards
Curtain Opener
.
Clear sentences
Openers
connectives
wide vocabulary
Curtain closer
Assessment card
Curtain opener
Clear sentences
Special vocabulary
Openers
Curtain closer
Connectives
1. Non chronological report – saying how things are
. Life cycle (Y3 Science)
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.
2. Instructions and procedures – Saying how to do
something step by step
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.
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.
e.g. e.g. Henry VIII (Y3 History)
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.
4b. Personal Recount – telling the story of what happened.
e.g. My visit to the mosque
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..
5. Persuasion – arguing for a point of view.
e.g. We should do more about the school environment? (Geog. Y4)
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.
Open sentences with So, This shows
Use connectives like because so, but
Use the special words to do with the topic.
Close the curtains by stating the point of view again.
6. Discussion – Looking at two sides of an argument
e.g. Life was better in Tudor times than it is now (Geog. Y3/4)
Open the curtains by stating what the argument is.
Give the reasons for.
Give the reasons against.
Use the present tense.
Open sentences with So, This shows
Use connectives like because so, but’.
Use the special words to do with the topic.
Close the curtains by stating what you think is the
best answer.