Forest Sunset Stories

Overview

This 60-minute lesson combines English and maths learning objectives tailored for Ruby, a 10-year-old Year 3/4 learner working 2-3 years below expectations. The lesson integrates her interests in animals, story-making, forest sunsets, makeup, fashion, and horses to motivate learning through creative, multisensory activities. It follows the National Curriculum for England, with a focus on English writing and maths addition within real-life contexts. Dyslexia-friendly resources, differentiation strategies, and extension challenges are included.

National Curriculum Links

English:

Writing:
- Year 3/4: Plan their writing by discussing ideas; write narratives with simple story structure (The national curriculum in England: English programmes of study: Key stages 2).
- Use of expanded noun phrases for description (English Appendix 2).
- Spelling: Years 3/4 common exception words.
Reading:
- Decode and read age-appropriate texts fluently (Year 3 reading).
- Retrieval of information from text (Year 3 comprehension).

Mathematics:

Number - Addition and subtraction (KS2 Mathematics programmes of study)
- Add and subtract numbers with up to 4 digits, including adding sums of money (£ and p).
- Solve problems involving addition of money and counting coins.

Cross-Curricular Links:

Art and Design: Use colour patterns (forest sunset colours) to enhance descriptive writing.
PSHE: Expressing interests and feelings through stories and maths challenges.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT (English): Plan and write a simple animal-themed story set during a forest sunset using descriptive language.
WALT (English Reading): Use a dyslexia-friendly text to identify and retrieve key story details about animals in forests.
WALT (Maths): Add sums of money confidently in practical contexts related to story elements (e.g., buying supplies for a forest adventure).

Success Criteria

I can use expanded noun phrases to describe the forest sunset scene.
I can plan and write sentences that create a clear story sequence involving animals.
I can read a short, dyslexia-friendly text and answer questions about the story.
I can add money using coins to solve practical addition problems.
I can engage in creative tasks linked to my interests to express ideas clearly.

Resources

Dyslexia-friendly version of a simple animal story set in a forest (short paragraphs, clear fonts - Dyslexie or Comic Sans if available)
Worksheet with addition sums (£ and p) related to story props (e.g., buying saddles, makeup for a character, horse treats)
Blank story planning sheet with boxes for pictures and sentence prompts
Colour pencils for sunset colour creation activity (warm shades: oranges, reds, purples)
Visual aids: forest and animal picture cards, coin props
Whiteboard and pens or notebook for writing drafts

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

WALT: We are learning to plan and write a descriptive story.
Show a vivid picture of a forest sunset with animals (including a horse). Talk through the scene: "What colours do you see? What animals might live here? What time of day is it?"
Link to Ruby’s interests: "Imagine you are getting ready for a forest adventure — maybe riding a horse or putting on your forest-inspired makeup! What would that be like?"
Explain we will write a short story about this.
Use bullet points on whiteboard to brainstorm ideas (animals, setting, sunset, makeup/fashion accessories, horses).
Use sentence starters on the board (e.g., “The glowing sunset painted the sky with...”, “A graceful horse called...”) to scaffold writing.

2. Guided Reading (10 minutes)

WALT: We are learning to find important information in a story.
Read a dyslexia-friendly story aloud featuring a forest sunset and animals (approx 150 words).
Ask Ruby retrieval questions (e.g., “What animals are in the story?”, “What colours describe the sunset?”, “What does the horse like to do?”)
Highlight key descriptive words together, relating to forest and sunset.

3. Story Planning and Writing (20 minutes)

WALT: We are learning to write a simple narrative using expanded noun phrases.
Ruby uses the planning sheet to draw and write key parts of her story (beginning, middle, end).
Encourage use of adjectives and expanded noun phrases (e.g., “shining golden horse”, “sparkling orange sunset sky”).
Support spelling common exception words with a dyslexia-friendly aid (e.g., word bank).
Ruby writes a short story draft (3–5 sentences) about animals and a forest sunset including a horse preparing for an adventure with makeup or fashion elements (e.g., “The horse wore a shiny red ribbon...” or “Ruby put on her shimmering forest-inspired eyeshadow before the ride.”).

4. Maths Addition Activity (15 minutes)

WALT: We are learning to add sums of money linked to the story context.
Present real-world addition problems using coins, connected to the story setting, e.g.:
- “Ruby buys a horse brush for 45p and a packet of treats for 30p. How much does she spend?”
- “She buys a bottle of special makeup for £1.20 and a pair of gloves for £2.15. What is the total cost?”
Use real or play coins if possible for hands-on counting.
Provide number lines or place value charts as dyslexia-friendly supports.
Differentiation:
- For Ruby: focus on adding up to £5 with clear visuals and physical coins.
- Extension: introduce adding three items or simple subtraction related to change.
Ruby records answers on worksheet with support as needed.

5. Creative Application and Plenary (5 minutes)

Ruby creates a small forest sunset colour swatch on paper (using coloured pencils or markers).
She shares her favourite descriptive sentence from her story aloud, focusing on words describing the sunset or animals.
Recap success criteria, praising effort and creativity.
Discuss what she would add next time to her story or sums.

Differentiation Strategies

Need/Level	Strategy
Ruby (2-3 years below)	Use dyslexia-friendly fonts and materials; scaffold writing with sentence starters; use visual aids and real coins for math; short tasks with clear success criteria.
Advanced learners	Extension maths to add three amounts and calculate change; write additional descriptive paragraphs or create a character profile with fashion/makeup details.
Multi-sensory learners	Use drawing, storytelling aloud, physical coins, colour mixing and sensory materials to engage multiple senses.
Support for spelling	Provide word banks and spell-check cards with common exception words and key vocabulary (animal names, colours, money terms).

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

Create a mini fashion catalogue for “forest adventure” outfits or horse accessories, writing product descriptions with expanded noun phrases.
Write an alternative ending to the story changing the weather or animal characters.
Solve multi-step money problems: "If Ruby spends £3.50 and has £5, how much change does she get?"

Assessment

Observe Ruby’s ability to retrieve information from the story during reading.
Review story plan and writing for sentence structure and use of expanded noun phrases.
Check calculations and method used to add sums of money.
Use reflective questioning: “Which part of the story did you like writing most?”, “How did you work out the total money?”
Adapt future lessons based on areas where Ruby needed support or showed advanced skills.

Notes for the Teacher

Reinforce positive associations between Ruby’s interests and curriculum goals.
Keep pace flexible and allow breaks if Ruby becomes tired.
Praise creativity and effort over accuracy to build confidence.
Use consistent language conventions (We Are Learning To = WALT) to focus objectives clearly.

This bespoke, engaging lesson plan not only meets National Curriculum standards but also tailors learning to Ruby’s unique needs and interests, integrating English and maths through immersive, multisensory and creative activities.

Teaching Instructions