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Holiday Recount Writing

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Holiday Recount Writing

Plan and write a vivid holiday recount for a reader who was not there. Use a real holiday you remember or invent one. Include who, where and when; events in time order; details that bring moments to life; and a thoughtful ending. Check that your verbs stay in the past tense.

Notice how a recount works

Read this complete example before answering.

During the April school holidays, my cousin Maia and I spent a day at Ōhope Beach with our family. We arrived just after breakfast, and the wind was already tugging at our jackets. First, we raced along the firm sand, trying to keep our hats on. A gust lifted mine and sent it skittering towards the water. Maia dashed after it and caught it just before a wave reached the shore. We laughed so hard that we forgot how cold our hands were. Later, the wind dropped. We built a lopsided sandcastle and decorated it with shells and tiny pieces of driftwood. After lunch, we walked beside the dunes and spotted a pair of oystercatchers picking their way across the sand. On the drive home, I felt tired but cheerful. The day did not go exactly as planned, but the windy hat chase became my favourite part. I would happily return for another beach adventure.

1.Which detail best establishes the orientation by telling when the holiday happened?

“Later, the wind dropped.”
“During the April school holidays…”
“We laughed so hard…”
“I would happily return…”

2.Number these events from 1 to 4 in the order they happened in the recount.

Built a sandcastle
Maia caught the hat
Spotted oystercatchers
Thought about the day on the drive home

3.Find two time connectives in the recount. Explain how each helps the reader.

4.Which sentence gives a reflection on the holiday rather than another event?

“We built a lopsided sandcastle…”
“We arrived just after breakfast…”
“The day did not go exactly as planned, but the windy hat chase became my favourite part.”
“A gust lifted mine…”

5.The writer says the sandcastle was “lopsided”. What does this word help you picture?

Plan your own recount

Choose a holiday adventure you remember, or invent one. Jot down notes rather than full sentences.

6.Plan your orientation: who was there, where did you go, and when did it happen?

First: What happened? Add a sound, sight, feeling or action.

Next: What happened? Add a sound, sight, feeling or action.

Finally: What happened? Add a sound, sight, feeling or action.

A detail I want my reader to remember:

7.Choose two time connectives you could use to move between your events. Write one sentence using each connective.

Write and polish

Turn your notes into a recount with a clear beginning, ordered events and an ending that reflects on the experience.

8.Write your holiday recount. Aim for three paragraphs: an orientation, events in order, and a conclusion. Use past-tense verbs and specific details.

9.Edit your recount. Copy one past-tense verb you checked, one time connective, and one detail that helps the reader picture the holiday.

3 printable pages

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Page 2
Page 3

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More English Worksheets

Year 5

Holiday Recount Writing

Holiday Recount Writing

Notice how a recount works

Plan your own recount

Write and polish

3 printable pages

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

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