Reading:

Remember how we complete a read aloud, think aloud task? Look at the first

page inside the text. Read all the text, the headings and the information in

different type. Also look carefully at the illustrations. Remember that all this

information will help you develop an understanding of the text, as they provide

clues for you, the reader. Write in your notes and questions around the page.

You may need to ask an adult to help you with some of the technical words, or

you could use a dictionary to answer questions about these unfamiliar words.

English Year 4 Phase 3 Homeworking Monday

The Land of Fire and Ice

How do you train a dragon?

Over the next few weeks, our learning in English will be set on the text “Dragonology: The

complete book of dragons” by Dugald Steer. This will link to our project work in history

centred all on the Vikings. By the end of this week we will have read extracts from the text

and investigated tier 2 and 3 vocabulary. We will have commented on the layout of the

text and began to prepare for writing our own description and profile of a dragon as a

report. Good Luck Dragonologists!

Writing:

Think about how we investigate tier 2 and 3 vocabulary and how we make

these unfamilar words, words that we can use in our writing. Your writing task

links to the page you have just investigated. Use these blank vocabulary cards

to explore the meaning of your chosen words. One has been completed for

you.

Word Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb Ancient

Meaning Belonging to the distant past and no longer in existence.

Image of the word ( I would draw a picture of an old castle, or a person from history)

Synonym ( a word or phrase which means exactly the same) Age-old Antique Old fashioned

Word Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb

Meaning

Image of the word

Synonym ( a word or phrase which means exactly the same)

Word Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb

Meaning

Image of the word

Synonym ( a word or phrase which means exactly the same)

Word Noun, Verb, Adjective, Adverb

Meaning

Image of the word

Synonym ( a word or phrase which means exactly the same)

English Year 4 Phase 3 Homeworking Tuesday

Reading

Read some of the attached extracts from chapter 1. Remember to take your

time and read the text a number of times. Use a dictionary, or ask an adult for

help with any unfamiliar vocabulary.

Why do you think that the author has begun this text with a map?

What does the image of the dragon tell the reader about dragons?

What does the word indigenous mean?

Why has the author used bullet points?

Why do you think that the author has included an advert for the Famous Draco

Dragon-Whistle in the text?

I’ve not spilt coffee on the page. What affect do these marks have on the reader?

Writing:

We are going to write our own Dragonology guide. Just like the author has

done in the text, start with a short description about the difference between

serpents and dragons (remember to use a heading). After that write a list of

the features of different species of dragon. You can use bullet points, or if you

prefer you can write in sentences. Here is a word bank to help you. There are

spaces for you to add your own words.

serpent features breathe scales enormous Fierce evil beady hoards

English Year 4 Phase 3 Homeworking Wednesday

Reading : The text informs the reader of different types of dragons and their

particular features. The following text describes the Wyvern and the Marsupial

Dragons. Read the extracts to find out about these different species.

Writing:

Now it’s your turn to create your dragon. I’ve included some images

to give you some inspiration. Draw your dragon. (Remember you

don’t need to be a super artist) add as much detail as you can to the

drawing and think carefully about special features of your dragon;

Scales, or a smooth body

Wings (Are these for defence or for flying)

Number of legs

tail

What does the word Lair mean?

Why do you think that Dragon Hunters need to know the dimensions of

these dragons?

What information did you find most interesting and why?

English Year 4 Phase 3 Homeworking Thursday

Reading:

Writing:

Why do you think that this text has a labelled diagram of a

dragon? What extra information does this give the reader? How

much detail do you think that the diagram will need? Could you

improve this diagram by adding extra information in caption

boxes?

Large bat-like wings

Clawed talons

Reinforced scales

I’ve made an example copy of a description of my dragon. But it isn’t the

best example. Think about all our previous learning about writing reports

in Year 4 and what we have learnt this week. Be the teacher and mark this

example. Give me feedback on the good (green) points and where

improvements need to be made. Then use this information to help finish

our success criteria for report writing. Great work so far Dragonologists.

Different Species of Dragons

Eastern dragons

To most ordinary people, dragons can be seen as big, angry monsters.

However, expert dragon specialists (Dragonologists) know that some species of

dragons are peaceful and benevolent and helpmates to humans. Eastern

Dragons, coming from Asia are the most peace-loving dragons, who are rarely

aggressive to humans.

China

Asian Lung (Draco Orientalis)

Lung are mostly found by river and hide there. Females carry their eggs.

Lair/Nest- Underwater

Dimensions- very big

Coloration-

Forms of Attack- horns, teeth and claws used for attack. But mostly only

used in defence.

Food- Fish.

Success Criteria for Report Writing

Success Criteria Notes on the example An affective title. This title explains what the report is about- A

species of Eastern Dragon An informative introduction This introduction gives detail about the

Dragons to the reader. Use of brackets Brackets are used to give extra information

e.g. explaining Dragonologists Use of impressive, powerful adjectives.

Unfortunately here the adjectives big and angry aren’t very powerful. Why not try enormous, vicious, and bloodthirsty?

Use of a map with labels Maybe a caption would be better. Where in China are these dragons found?

Clear subheadings Because this subheading is not underlined, or bold it’s easily missed.

Enough detail to inform the reader.

The two introductory sentences about the Asian Lung Dragon don’t have enough information. Why do they need to hide? Where do they hide? Why do females carry the eggs? How long does it take for eggs to hatch?

Bullet points. Unfortunately here there isn’t enough information to engage the reader. Some information is totally missing.

Diagram This could be improved using labels and captions explaining more about the dragon’s special features.

Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary

Is this enough to inform the reader

Add any of your own success criteria here.

English Year 4 Phase 3 Homeworking Friday

Reading and writing:

Right Dragonologists, today is the day when you get to write your own

description of you dragon to start your report. Your Reading task today is to

read through the work that you have done this week and look very carefully at

your success criteria from yesterday. Plan out your layout carefully and make

sure that your report page has enough detail to describe your Dragon and

inform the reader. I’ve included a box plan for you to use as a template if you

wish, otherwise use your creative imagination and get writing Dragon experts.

USE THAT SUCCESS CRITERIA and make each point green.

Title

Introduction about species of dragon

Map of country

where dragons

come from.

Name of your dragon (scientific name)

General information about your dragon.

Bullet points

Lair etc.

Diagram of your dragon.

Label features and add

captions with more detail.

Well done. Next week we will be creating a Dragonologist guide to dragon

hunting.