Writing Unlocked

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Curriculum Context

Subject: English
Level: Year 4 (NZC Level 2)
Strand: Speaking, Writing and Presenting
Key Competency Focus: Thinking, Using language, symbols, and texts, Participating and contributing
Big Idea: Learners understand and use the writing process to communicate effectively
Significant Learning: Learners explore the five stages of writing to develop control over content, structure, and language features appropriate to purpose and audience.

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Lesson Title

Introduction to the Writing Process

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

Understand the five stages of the writing process and why each stage helps us become better writers.

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Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

• Name the five stages of the writing process.
• Describe one thing that happens during each stage.
• Work with a buddy to brainstorm ideas for a writing piece.
• Identify their favourite writing stage and say why.

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Materials Needed

• Large poster or cards with the five stages: Planning, Drafting, Revising, Editing, Publishing
• Visual story graphic organiser (dyslexia-friendly font – Verdana or Century Gothic recommended)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes
• Buddy brainstorming sheet for story ideas
• Mini paper megaphones (for "Stage Spotlight" game)
• Coloured stage icons (for interactive wall activity)
• Timer or soft chime for transitions

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Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes

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Lesson Breakdown

🔶 Warm-Up Activity (5 minutes) – Talking Circle: “What is Writing?”

• Students sit in a circle. Ask: "What do you think writing is for?"
• Encourage different responses (telling stories, notes for mum, texting, jokes, etc.)
• Introduce the idea: “Just like baking a cake, writing has steps too!”

Visual Prompt: Display a baking image with steps. Link this to the idea of “steps in writing”.

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🔷 Teacher Input (10 minutes) – Meet the Writing Stages

Interactive Presentation

• Introduce the 5 stages with big, bold visuals:
  1. Planning – Thinking of ideas (like making a treasure map!)
  2. Drafting – Getting your ideas on paper
  3. Revising – Making your writing better by adding detail (like upgrading a LEGO set)
  4. Editing – Fixing up spelling and punctuation
  5. Publishing – Making it look great and sharing it!

Stage Spotlight Game:

• Have 5 students each wear a “stage icon” (laminated card on a lanyard).
• Read out a writing scenario (e.g., “I’m checking for full stops”) – the student with the “Editing” card steps forward and speaks through a mini megaphone: “This is my job!”

Dyslexia-Friendly Toolkit: Use images beside each stage. Fonts in Verdana. Allow students to use finger puppets or fidget tools quietly during listening time.

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🟩 Guided Practice – “Build a Brainstorm!” (15 minutes)

Activity Name: Treasure Chest of Ideas

📝 Students pair up with their writing buddy and complete a visual brainstorm sheet featuring a treasure chest. Prompts include:

• "Who is in my story?"
• "Where does it happen?"
• "What is their problem?"
• "What exciting thing takes place?"

🎯 Each pair draws or writes their ideas inside the treasure chest.

Differentiation:

• ESL students may draw ideas or use stamps/stickers to respond.
• Provide a completed example and frame sentence prompts for lower-level writers.
• Allow students with dyslexia to dictate their ideas to a buddy or teacher aide.

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🟦 Whole Class Consolidation – Movement Wall Activity (10 minutes)

Stage Sorting
Stick five folders to the whiteboard/wall, each with a stage label and icon.
Give each student a sticky note with a mini task on it (e.g., “Add in more describing words” or “Write it neatly”). Students move around and stick their note under the stage they believe it matches.

Teacher reads through a few examples and applauds insightful pairings.

Differentiation

• Support readers with symbols or colours for each stage.
• Offer peer support or assign buddies for students who need extra decoding help.

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🟥 Wrap-Up Reflection (5 minutes) – My Stage Superpower

Ask students: “Which writing stage would you be a superhero of?”
Each child draws or writes a speech bubble:
💬 "I’m a Planning Hero because I love thinking of wild ideas!"
Glue speech bubbles onto the Stage Superpower Wall for display.

Extension (if time allows or for homework):

• Students write a “Writer’s Pledge” – one sentence about what they will work on in their next piece of writing.
• Advanced learners: Begin mapping out a short story idea using the full planning organiser.

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Differentiation Strategies

Student Needs	Strategy
ESL/Non-English speaking	Visual rich materials, buddy support, drawing options
Dyslexia	Use of dyslexia-friendly fonts, graphic organisers, option to dictate
Behavioural Needs	Clear structure & transitions, movement-based sorting activity
High Ability learners	Extension story planning, challenge card per stage (e.g., Can you improve a boring sentence?)

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Teacher Reflection (To fill in post-lesson)

• What went well?
• Which stage were students most excited about?
• Did all students engage with the brainstorming session?
• How might I adapt this for students who need more one-to-one scaffolding?

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Summary

This interactive, inclusive, and hands-on introduction to the writing process sets the foundation for students across ability levels. Through visual stimuli, games, and partner talk, students begin to internalise writing as a creative process rather than just a classroom task. With built-in opportunities for sharing and movement, diverse learners can access the content in meaningful ways while practising literacy-rich communication.

Next Step Suggestion: Begin drafting a class story based on a "shared planning chest" from this lesson.

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“Great writers aren’t born—they’re made...one stage at a time!”