Ocean Storytelling Adventure

Overview

A 60-minute engaging reading and comprehension session based on an older children's novel with ocean themes, designed for Year 7 and 8 SEN pupils working at Year 3 and 4 level. The lesson supports key areas of the National Curriculum for English: reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and narrative writing, with a focus on accessibility.

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National Curriculum References

• Reading - comprehension (Year 3/4 objectives):
  • Identify and discuss themes and conventions in texts.
  • Retrieve and record information from fiction and non-fiction.
  • Develop positive attitudes to reading and understanding of what they read.
• Writing - composition (Year 3/4 objectives):
  • Plan and write narratives about personal experiences and those of others (real and fictional).
• Vocabulary, Grammar and Punctuation (Year 3/4 objectives):
  • Increase repertoire of words linked to familiar topics.
• Spoken Language (Year 3/4 objectives):
  • Participate in discussions, presentations, performances, role play, improvisations and debates.

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Learning Objectives (WALT)

• WALT read and understand an extract from an older children’s novel with ocean themes.
• WALT identify key characters, setting, and plot details in the text.
• WALT enrich our vocabulary related to the ocean and storytelling.
• WALT orally retell part of the story using descriptive language.

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Success Criteria

I can:

• Follow the story and describe the main characters and setting.
• Find and explain specific information from the text.
• Use new words about the ocean confidently in sentences.
• Work with a partner to retell the story clearly.

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Resources

• Dyslexia-friendly printed copies of an adapted extract from an ocean-themed novel (e.g. a simplified passage from "The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch" or "The Magic Faraway Tree: The Enchanted Island of the Ocean"). The text is formatted in a dyslexia-friendly font (e.g. Comic Sans or OpenDyslexic), with clear spacing and coloured overlays available.
• Visual vocabulary cards with pictures and simple ocean-related words (e.g., wave, reef, shark, boat).
• Whiteboard and markers or interactive whiteboard.
• Story sequencing cards (illustrated).
• Audio recording of the passage read aloud slowly and clearly.
• Story map templates.

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Lesson Structure

1. Engage and Connect (10 minutes)

• Begin by asking: "What do you know about the ocean?" Capture ideas on the board with visual aids.
• Show ocean vocabulary cards. Read them aloud and invite pupils to say the words and see if they know them.
• Introduce the story and set the scene briefly, using images from the novel or an ocean-themed backdrop.

Differentiation:

• For pupils with limited vocabulary, focus on 4–5 key words with pictures; others explore 8+ words.
• Provide printed vocabulary lists for all learners.

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2. Guided Reading (15 minutes)

• Play the audio recording of the chosen story extract while pupils follow along with their dyslexia-friendly copies.
• Pause regularly to check understanding, ask comprehension questions such as:
  • Who are the main characters?
  • Where does this take place?
  • What do you think will happen next?
• Use story sequencing cards to help pupils reorder events from the extract visually.

Differentiation:

• Support learners by providing sentence starters for answers (e.g., "The main character is…").
• Stronger readers can attempt to read aloud short sections supported by peer or adult.

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3. Vocabulary Exploration (10 minutes)

• Introduce and model descriptive sentences using the ocean words. For example: "The waves crashed loudly against the rocks."
• In pairs, pupils create their own sentences using at least two new vocabulary words.
• Share some sentences aloud with the class.

Differentiation:

• Provide sentence frames for pupils who need it (e.g., “The ___ is ___.”).
• More able pupils can write or say two or three descriptive sentences using adjectives.

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4. Oral Story Retell (15 minutes)

• Using the story map template, pupils work in pairs to retell the story extract orally. They use visuals and vocabulary cards to support.
• Encourage use of expressive language and descriptions.
• Invite a few pairs to perform their retelling to the class with support as needed.

Differentiation:

• Pupils with oral difficulties may record their retelling or use simplified story map prompts.
• More confident pupils can add their own creative details to the retelling.

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5. Plenary and Reflection (10 minutes)

• Recap key vocabulary and main points of the story.
• Ask pupils to share (or write/draw) one thing they enjoyed learning or their favourite ocean word.
• Set a simple home activity: Draw a scene from the story or write a sentence using new ocean words.

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Additional Differentiation Strategies

• Use multi-sensory approaches: visual (pictures, cards), auditory (audio recording), and kinaesthetic (story sequencing).
• Break tasks into small, manageable steps with clear instructions.
• Provide frequent positive reinforcement and opportunities for peer support.
• Allow use of assistive technology if available (e.g., text-to-speech devices).

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe pupils’ participation during oral retelling and vocabulary activities.
• Check story sequencing accuracy and sentence construction in paired work.
• Use informal questioning to assess comprehension throughout.
• Collect home activity responses for further understanding of progress.

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Notes for Teachers

• Ensure all materials are prepared in advance with dyslexia-friendly formatting and clear visuals.
• Consider mixing peer pairings to provide support for learners with different strengths.
• Maintain a calm, supportive atmosphere to boost confidence and engagement.
• Adapt timing flexibly based on pupils’ needs.

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This lesson capitalises on familiar Year 3 and 4 National Curriculum standards while being mindful of SEN learners’ access to engaging, meaningful literature. It supports key literacy skills while fostering a love of storytelling and the wonders of the ocean world.