DESCRIPTION

This engaging Talk for Writing narrative unit supports Early Years and Primary 1 learners in developing storytelling, sequencing and early writing skills through a familiar and relatable theme — losing and finding a special toy.

Using the Talk for Writing structure of Imitation, Exploration, Supported Innovation and Independent Application, this unit provides clear progression and practical teaching guidance.

Children begin by orally retelling a simple story before creating their own versions through structured support and imaginative play opportunities.

WHAT THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES
Full 3–4 week unit overview
Step-by-step Talk for Writing teaching sequence
Weekly learning focus and activity guidance
Story hook and story mapping ideas
Vocabulary development guidance
Innovation and storytelling planning support
Continuous provision and role play ideas
Differentiation suggestions
Assessment opportunities and evidence ideas

TALK FOR WRITING STRUCTURE COVERED

Week 1 – Imitation

• Story introduction and oral storytelling
• Story mapping and sequencing
• Vocabulary development
• Drama and role play opportunities

Week 2 – Exploration

• Understanding characters and emotions
• Story structure development
• Language pattern exploration
• Story sequencing activities

Week 3 – Supported Innovation

• Planning and adapting story elements
• Creating new versions with teacher support
• Oral rehearsal and collaborative storytelling

Week 4 – Independent Application

• Creating original stories
• Drawing, mark making and early writing
• Story performance and storytelling confidence

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Children may:

• Retell a familiar story orally
• Sequence story events
• Use simple sentence structures
• Develop storytelling confidence
• Create their own story innovations

CONTINUOUS PROVISION LINKS
This unit supports play-based learning through:

• Role play areas (lost and found station, toy shop, home corner)
• Small world storytelling opportunities
• Outdoor storytelling and search activities

ASSESSMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Teachers can observe:

• Oral storytelling ability
• Vocabulary development
• Story sequencing skills
• Engagement in imaginative play
• Early writing and mark making

DIFFERENTIATION
Support ideas include:

• Oral storytelling scaffolds
• Drawing and sequencing prompts
• Sentence starters

Challenge ideas include:

• Adding extra story events
• Expanding vocabulary
• Writing simple paragraphs

SUITABLE FOR
✔ Early Years
✔ Primary 1
✔ ASN friendly
✔ Play-based learning environments
✔ Talk for Writing schools
✔ Continuous provision classrooms

PLEASE NOTE
This is a teacher planning and guidance pack only.
No worksheets are included.

FILE FORMAT
PDF download

Talk for Writing
Early Years writing
Primary 1 literacy
Storytelling unit
Narrative writing planning
Talk for Writing planning
Continuous provision literacy
Early storytelling resources
Imitation innovation application
EYFS writing unit
KS1 writing planning